OF  THE 


V.  V.  IN  FT. 


\ 


* 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/historyof20thovv01wood 

4> 


HISTORY 


— OF  TIIE — 


— AND — 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  FIRST  REUNION 


April  6,  1876. 


COMPILED  AND  ARRANGED  FOR  PUBLICATION  BY  D.  IV.  WOOD,  MT.  VERNON,  OHIO. 


COLUMBUS 

PAUL  & THRALL,  BOOK  AND  JOB  PRINTERS 

1876. 


4 


Silver  Cornet  Band  at  the  head,  took  up  their  line 
of  march  to  the  depot  of  the  C.,  Mt.  V.  & C.  Rail- 
road, to  meet  Generals  M.  F.  Force,  of  Cincinnati, 
and  M.  D.  Leggett,  of  Cleveland.  After  their  ar- 
rival the  line  was  again  formed  under  command  of 
Capt.  D.  W.  Wood,  and  they  were  escorted  through 
the  streets  to  Kirk  Hall,  where  the  exercises  of  the 
day  took  place. 

The  hall  was  tastefully  and  appropriately  decor- 
ated with  flags,  emblems,  mottoes  and  evergreen. 
The  stage,  on  one  side,  contained  a stack  of  arms, 
the  other  a tasty  memorial  monument,  while  at  the 
rear  had  been  erected  a camp  tent  beautifully  or- 
namented with  evergreens.  On  the  walls  at  the 
north  and  south  sides  of  the  hall  in  gilt  letters, 
were  the  names  of  the  battles  in  which  the  regi- 
ment participated,  as  follows  : Fayetteville,  Golds- 
boro, Ackworth,  Atlanta,  Bolivar,  Raleigh,  Ken- 
nesaw,  Jackson,  Raymond,  Cheraw,  Iuka,  Cham- 
pion Hill,  Chattanooga,  Orangeburg,  Jonesboro, 
Savannah,  Columbia,  Port  Gibson,  Last  Point, 
Grand  Gulf,  Vicksburg,  Marietta,  Shiloh. 

At  2 o’clock  P.  M.,  the  meeting  was  called  to 
order  by  Capt.  D.  W.  Wood,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Arrangements. 

Col.  C.  Garis,  of  Washington,  0.,  W.  A.  Nut, 
of  Quincy,  0.,  and  J.  A.  Tilton,  of  Mt.  Vernon, 
were  chosen  Secretaries. 

Hon.  R.  C.  Kirk  was  introduced  to  the  meeting, 
and  in  a few  well  chosen  remarks  welcomed  the 
members  of  the  regiment  to  the  hospitalities  of 
the  city. 

Gen.  Manning  F.  Force,  of  Cincinnati,  was  then 
introduced,  and  delivered  the  annual  address,  giv- 


5 


ing  a chronological  history  of  the  regiment,  from 
the  time  of  its  organization  at  Camp  Chase,  in 
1861,  until  it  was  disbanded  in  Columbus,  in  1865. 

Col.  Chas.  Whittlesey,  of  Cleveland,  the  “Father 
of  the  Regiment,”  then  came  to  the  front,  and 
gave  a more  detailed  account  of  the  organization 
of  the  regiment,  and  its  movements  up  to  the  time 
of  his  resignation,  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh. 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  remarks.  Wm.  J. 
McFeeley,  of  Mt.  Vernon,  volunteered  and  sang 
the  “Union  Forever.” 

Maj.  Glen.  M.  H.  Leggett,  was  then  introduced, 
and  entertained  the  audience  in  a speech  of  con- 
siderable length,  in  which  he  gave  the  20th  Regi- 
ment great  credit  for  the  part  it  took  during  the 
war,  and  which,  as  their  division  commander,  he 
was  enabled  to  do  with  justice  and  precision. 

Col.  Harry  Wilson,  the  first  junior  Lieutenant 
at  the  organization  of  the  regiment,  and  its  last 
Colonel,  was  then  introduced,  and  made  a few 
happy  remarks,  calling  vividly  to  mind  the  many 
eccentricities  of  different  individuals.  His  speech 
was  well  received. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  speeches,  the  audience 
rose  and  joined  in  the  chorus,  “ Rally  ’Round  the 
Flag.” 

A business  meeting  then  took  place,  and  the  fol- 
lowing officers  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year : 

President — Glen.  Manning  T.  Force. 

Secretary — Col.  Harry  Wilson. 

A committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  have  the 
proceedings  of  the  meeting  published  in  pamphlet 
form,  and  also  to  procure  the  names  of  all  members 
of  the  regiment  who  have  died  since  its  organiza- 


6 


tion,  and  draft  suitable  resolutions  to  their  mem- 
ory, reporting  at  the  next  annual  meeting.  The 
following  gentlemen  were  appointed  said  com- 
mittee: J.  C.  Gordon,  B.  A.  F.  Greer,  D.  W. 

Wood,  J.  A.  Tilton,  and  J.  G.  Stevenson. 

It  was  decided  to  hold  the  next  reunion  at  Sid- 
ney, Ohio,  July  22,  1877. 

The  President  and  Secretary  were  instructed  to 
appoint  a suitable  person  to  deliver  the  next  an- 
nual address. 

Adjourned  to  supper. 

The  banquet  was  held  at  Banning  Hall,  which 
was  beautifully  trimmed  for  the  occasion  with  flags 
and  flowers.  After  doing  ample  justice  to  the 
delicacies  prepared  by  the  ladies,  the  following- 
toasts  were  read  and  responded  to  in  their  order: 

1.  “ The  Enlisted  Men.” — Gen.  M.  F.  Force. 

2.  “ The  Army  of  the  Tennessee.” — Gen.  M.  D.  Leggett. 

3.  “ One  Union  and  One  Flag.” — Hon.  R.  C.  Kirk. 

4.  “ The  Army  and  Navy.” — Gen.  Geo.  W.  Morgan. 

5.  “ The  Generals  of  the  Army.” — Lev.  J.  H.  Hamilton. 

6.  “ Gen.  J.  B.  McPherson.” — Col.  Chas.  Whittlesey. 

7.  “ The  Tree  of  Liberty,”  accompanied  by  a letter,  proposed 
by  Mrs.  R.  Raymond,  aged  78  years — Response  by  Col.  Harry 
Wilson. 

8.  “Our  Ladies.” — Capt.  L.  Y.  Mitchell. 

9.  “The  Bummers.” — Private  Leroy  G.  Hunt. 

10.  “The  Officers  of  the  20th  Ohio  Regiment,  and  the  Seven- 
teenth Army  Corps.” — Capt.  D.  W.  Wood. 

11.  “ The  Widows  and  Orphans.” 

It  was  intended  that  the  response  to  this  toast 
should  be  given  by  Chaplain  Geo.  W.  Pepper,  but 
that  gentleman  not  being  present,  the  response 
was  omitted. 

The  following  resolution  was  unanimously 
adopted  at  the  conclusion  of  the  exercises  : 


7 


Resolved , That  the  most  hearty  thanks  of  the  Veterans  of  the 
Old  20th  O.  V.  V.  I.  are  due  and  are  hereby  tendered  to  the- citi- 
zens of  Mt.  Vernon,  and  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  for  the 
magnificent  reception  given  to  us  this  day. 

The  clay’s  festivities  closed  by  a grand  social 
Hop  at  Kirk  Hall  in  the  evening,  which  was 
largely  attended  by  the  “beauty  and  the  chivalry.” 
The  music  was  good,  and  unalloyed  pleasure  reigned 
throughout  the  evening. 


20Ux  ©Mo 

Field  and  Staff— Non-Veteran. 

Charles  Whittlesey,  Colonel  from  August  19,  1861,  to  April 

19,  1862. 

M.  F.  Force,  Colonel,  April  19,  1862,  Brigadier  General,  April 
11,  1863. 

John  R.  Bond,  Adjutant,  promoted  to  Major  67th  O.  V.  I.,  Octo- 
ber 1,  1861. 

E.  1ST.  Owens,  Adjutant,  promoted  to  Major  9th  La.  Vol.,  African 
Descent. 

P.  M.  Hitchcock,  Reg’t  Quartermaster,  mustered  out  August 

20,  1864. 

E.  L.  Hill,  Surgeon,  mustered  out  October  11,  1864. 

James  R.  Knapp,  Chaplain,  resigned  April  19,  1862. 

J.  W.  Alderman,  “ “ March  22, 1863. 

J.  G.  Purple,  Assistant  Surgeon,  died  at  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
May  26,  1862. 

A.  H.  Humiston,  Sergeant  Major,  promoted  to  Lieutenant  Co.  D., 
March  31,  1862. 

J.  B.  Walker,  Sergeant  Major,  promoted  to  Lieutenant  Co.  E., 
April  19,  1862. 

W.  W.  McCracken,  Sergeant  Major,  promoted  to  2d  Lieutenant 
Co.  A.,  Nov.  2,  1862. 

H.  W.  Neal,  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  discharged  on  Surgeon 
certificate. 

J.  G.  Stephenson,  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  promoted  to  2d  Lieu- 
tenant Co.  E.,  January  28,  1863. 

J.  K.  Wilson,  Steward  Hospital,  died  at  Holly  Springs,  Miss., 
Dec.  24,  1862. 


I certify  that  the  above  is  a correct  Roster  of  the  Regiment. 


8 


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ROSTER  TWENTIETH  REGIMENT  OHIO  VETERAN  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 


9 


f\e$ohitior^  of  S(e$pedt. 


Whereas,  By  the  wise  dispensation  of  Provi- 
dence, our  beloved  country  has  offered  up  a sacri- 
fice as  an  atonement  for  the  national  sin  of  slavery, 
our  freedom  has  been  secured,  and  our  free  insti- 
tutions perpetuated,  and  our  country  made  a para- 
dise for  the  nations  of  the  earth  to  concentrate  and 
enjoy  the  glorious  peace  and  happiness  incident 
to  a pure  republic : and, 

Whereas,  It  is  right  and  proper  that  we  should 
reverently  cherish  a lively  recollection  of  the  brave 
men  who  offered  up  their  lives  upon  the  bloody 
battle-field,  and  those  who  died  from  wounds  or 
disease  in  that  gigantic  struggle  to  rescue  this  na- 
tion from  the  hands  of  its  traitors  ; and  especially 
do  we  point  with  pride  to  the  long  list  of  names 
herewith  submitted,  as  men  who  made  that  sacri- 
fice necessary  to  complete  the  work  of  saving  the 
union : 

Resolved , That  in  the  loss  of  these  men  we  recog- 
nize the  hand  of  Providence,  and  bow  with  humble 
submission  to  His  divine  will,  but  deeply  mourn 
the  sad  fate  of  them  all. 

Resolved , That  we  admire  the  heroism,  the  pat- 
riotism, and  true  moral  courage  of  all  the  dead 
comrades  of  the  gallant  old  20th  Ohio  Regiment, 
and  the  friends  and  relatives  who  mourn  their 
loss,  we  commit  to  the  hands  of  Him  who  doeth 
all  things  well,  begging  them  to  remember  the 
great  sacrifice  they  have  made  was  for  the  good 
of  their  country’s  cause. 


2 


10 


'Killed  kqd  f)ied  h\  SeiVide. 


COMPANY  A. 


W.  H.  Roberts 

Died. 

Z.  M.  Ball 

Died. 

S.  Brollier 

It 

Wm.  Blackburn 

it 

P.  H.  Cosner  

tl 

E.  Barry 

it 

A.  Davis  

tt 

J.  Carpenter 

Killed. 

L.  B.  Everats  

a 

A.  Dyer 

Died. 

R.  M.  Fogle  

Killed. 

C.  W.  Galliher 

It 

J.  Hayden  

Died. 

Dan.  Harris 

it 

D.  B.  Janes  

Killed. 

F.  Harris 

Killed. 

G.  M.  Hanson  

Died. 

E.  Pollock 

U 

B.  F.  Wilson  

Killed. 

A.  Skillman  

It 

H.  Williams  

A.  Allison  

Died. 

it 

A.  J.  Strong 

tt 

COMPANY  B. 


G.  H.  Crawford,  killed  in  battle 

. Levi  Gump 

Died. 

W.  H.  Brown 

Died. 

T.  J.  Goble 

It 

J.  Reinhart 

tl 

H.  P.  Hall 

Killed. 

Benj.  Bailey  

Killed. 

A.  Hoffman 

G.  W.  Ragan  

Died. 

T.  M.  Hall 

il 

J.  H.  Colman 

it 

J.  Hashberger 

a 

John  Johnson  

Killed. 

H.  D.  Much 

it 

J.  C.  Me  Alexander... 

it 

B.  Fogle 

it 

G.  W.  Rush 

Died. 

G.  Pencil  

it 

J.  W.  Wilson 

(t 

J.  S.  Schen ck 

it 

H.  0.  Watts  

it 

H.  Schen ck 

it 

S.  Wright 

It 

H.  Staley 

it 

C.  Baldwin  

It 

M.  L.  Thrush  

Killed. 

D.  Baldwin 

It 

W.  Walters 

Died. 

W.  R.  Campbell 

tl 

COMP 

ANY  C. 

G.  A.  Short 

....Died. 

S.  Roseboome 

Died. 

H.  A.  Stell 

It 

Lemuel  Rightsell  ... 

tl 

John  Patterson 

it 

P.  B.  Varner 

tl 

C.  J.  Ham m on 

a 

Wm.  Miller 

Killed. 

T.  McClure  

it 

Ira  Davis 

tl 

0.  Bucly 

tl 

Peter  Garris 

Died. 

W.  A.  Derby 

it 

Henry  Mount 

a 

Isaac  Davis ...  

it 

Jacob  Rotliwell  

tt 

R.  W.  Faugh 

u 

L.  W.  Reed 

Killed. 

J.  A.  Marion 

a 

Perry  Stothart 

it 

J.  R.  Noral 

it 

Joseph  Stein 

Died. 

G.  H.  Outen 

....Killed. 

11 


COMPANY  D. 


J.  W.  Dear  

Died. 

Joseph  Sills 

. ...Died. 

H.  F.  Gould 

U 

L.  C.  Shuman  

Killed. 

S.  P.  Hunter 

ll 

H.  Wilson 

Died. 

J.  J.  Herron  

Killed. 

J.  W.  Corwin 

Killed. 

M.  D.  Haskin 

Died. 

J.  C.  Magfield,  died  of  wounds. 

Jacob  Inskip 

Il 

F.  Rowley 

Joel  Floyd 

a 

W.  P.  Smith 

Killed. 

J.  S.  McCoy 

u 

E.  H.  Saunders 

....Died. 

James  R.  Snodgrass., 

u 

L.  D.  Standish 

. ...Killed. 

J.  A.  Sabin  

a 

COMPANY  E. 

Wm.  Atherton 

. ...Died. 

0.  Watty 

....Died. 

H.  Buzzard 

Il 

T.  Zimmerman 

ll 

L.  C.  Baker 

Killed. 

W.  Workman  

It 

W.  H.  Clark 

.Drowned. 

.1.  Cannavan 

Killed. 

E.  P.  Downs 

....Killed. 

George  M.  Long,  killed 

P.  Hirsh  

Died. 

by  explosion  of  Steamer 

J.  B.  Saunders  

it 

Sultana. 

A.  Lee 

u 

H.  H.  Fulton,  died 

of 

W.  F.  Myers 

u 

wounds. 

A.  McClurg 

u 

H.  P.  Liustead 

li 

D.  Mowery  

u 

C.  Russell 

il 

R.  Pickard 

u 

G.  Skillinger 

....Died. 

COMPANY  F. 

W.  H.  Coy 

. ...Died. 

Thos.  Minnear 

. . . . Died. 

J.  Cotterral 

Il 

G.  Olden 

a 

Wm.  Crothertiller 

it 

N.  Russell  

a 

L.  Ellsworth 

ll 

Wm.  Snanger  

a 

Wm.  Edwards 

ti 

D.  Vanote  

a 

Wm.  Hefflemen  

a 

J.  W.  Vandevett 

a 

Phillip  Hall 

u 

Elliott  Mathias  

...Killed. 

Wm.  Henman 

ti 

C.  Davenport 

....Died. 

Fred.  Hines 

u 

Robt.  Elliott 

....Killed. 

John  Hinsker 

u 

Albert  Hines 

il 

M.  Hole 

u 

John  Shaw  

ll 

Thos.  Jackson 

u 

COMPANY  G. 

Enos  Milt  

Died. 

H.  H.  Lockwood 

...Killed. 

George  L.  Mellick 

ll 

S.  A.  Manning 

....Died. 

Sami.  Davis 

u 

Isaac  McClure  

a 

J.  Bostwick  

u 

Wm.  Newton 

it 

Caleb  Leedy 

ll 

H.  Oldaker  

a 

W.  G.  Balch 

a 

J.  G.  Pitkin 

n 

Wm.  Barrible 

it 

A.  Reader 

a 

J.  W.  Baxter 

D.  F.  Snider 

u 

12 


J.  Cochran 

W.  C.  Smith 

Wm.  Cochran  

it 

J.  W.  Tathwell 

it 

Samuel  Cochran 

it 

Esquire  Davis 

tt 

George  Duncan 

tt 

Romaine  White 

tt 

Byron  Dean 

It 

Jacob  Waters 

tt 

John  Elder 

Killed. 

James  Dunn 

tt 

T.  Fitspatrick 

Died. 

G.  M.  Cochran 

it 

Jas.  Grimes 

tt 

E.  S.  Boudinott  

it 

Calvin  C.Hall... 

It 

Joseph  White 

Killed. 

Henry  High 

“ C.  S.  Beardsly 

COMPANY  H. 

tt 

A.  Beil  

Died. 

C.  Sechler 

Died. 

G.  Canada 

Killed. 

H.  Shively 

Killed. 

Sol.  Fulk 

Died. 

Wm.  Taylor 

It 

N.  0.  Fulk 

Killed. 

E.  M.  Quackenbush... 

....Died. 

D.  E.  Huxly 

Died. 

Joseph  Fusselman 

it 

A.  J.  Leach 

It 

Nathan  Heminger  .... 

....Killed. 

H.  Lawrance 

Killed. 

Benj.  Knox  

a 

J.  McNeally 

Died. 

Isaac  Strock 

...Died. 

N.  N.  Oviatt 

tt 

Lester  C.  Robbins 

....Killed. 

F.  Richards 

S.  Severns 

tt 

COMPANY  I. 

It 

D.  L.  Way 

Wm  McClelland 

..  .Died. 

T.  Marion 

it 

J.  W.  Newlan 

tt 

G.  Archer  

a 

W.  H.  Newlan 

It 

Samuel  Beeny 

it 

H.  Nufelt 

it 

A.  Ball  

it 

H.  Parmer 

it 

Thos.  Clog’s: 

a 

B.  Shakleford 

tt 

S.  J.  Darling 

tt 

J.  M.  Wickham 

It 

A.  Englehart 

tt 

W.  Wells 

tt 

J.  W.  Garrett 

a 

0.  Brown 

...Killed. 

R.  Hughes 

tt 

E.  M.  Evans 

....Died. 

.E  A.  Harbin 

it 

E.  Campbell 

....Killed. 

A.  Johnson 

tt 

J.  Crow 

P.  Johns 

a 

T.  G.  Ailes 

tt 

J.  King 

tt 

B.  Dodds 

....Killed. 

S.  Keupp 

a 

H.  J.  Harbin 

....Died. 

Wm.  Quitt 

tt 

H.  O.  Reed 

....Killed. 

.T.  C.  Meracle 

it 

W.  Trimble 

tt 

George  Mercer 

n 

Clark  Young 

....Died. 

P.  Miller 

it 

A.  N.  Williams 

tt 

D.  Milton 

tt 

W.  H.  Wickham 

it 

G.  McGugin 

“ Peter  McBride  ...  

COMPANY  K. 

a 

J.  W.  Andrew 

Died. 

A.  Lenox 

...Killed. 

S.  Bryan 

tt 

E.  Manning 

a 

13 


O.  P.  Bogard Died. 

Thos.  Baldwin  “ 

C.  Bunson “ 

Jesse  Babcock Killed. 

J.  O.  Cole “ 

J.  N.  Davis “ 

J.  Dalton “ 

Jesse  Day “ 

P.  Duwese “ 

E.  S.  Gallimore “ 

Fr  Hankins “ 

H.  Hardisty “ 

J.  A.  Knox  “ 

O.  Lambort “ 


M.  Stingert Killed, 

J.  Wagnoy “ 

D.  C.  Baker “ 

W.  D.  Neal “ 

Wm.  Argood  Died. 

Wm.  Dodd “ 

Tlios.  Gleason “ 

C.  Jelly Killed. 

J.  E.  Kessler “ 

Jas  Moore “ 

Jasper  Miller “ 


John  Musshrey “ 

Andrew  Mills Died. 


f^etrqioi}  Sddfie0$e$. 


After  music  by  the  Mt.  Yemeni  Cornet  Band, 
D.  W.  Wood,  Chairman,  addressed  the  comrades 
as  follows  : 

Ladies , Comrades , and  Friends : 

This  is  the  first  reunion  of  the  20th  Ohio  Vete- 
ran Volunteer  Regiment,  after  a lapse  of  nearly 
eleven  years.  Let  me  assure  you  that  I am  su- 
premely happy  in  being  selected  to  preside  over 
the  first  reunion  of  our  regiment.  I am  proud  of 
being  associated  with  men  who  stood  at  their  post 
of  duty  during  the  late  civil  war,  until  their  coun- 
try needed  their  services  no  longer.  I love  the 
patriotic  soldier  who  left  his  home  and  friends  for 
the  bloody  battle  field  when  war  was  raging  over 
our  country,  and  fought  manfully  in  that  gigantic 
struggle,  to  save  and  perpetuate  our  glorious  Un- 
ion. 

Trusting  that  this  reunion  may  be  soul-cheer- 


14 


ing  to  us  all,  and  in  no  wise  marred  by  any  unchar- 
itable sentiment  or  unbecoming  conduct,  and  that 
I shall  receive  your  fraternal  assistance  and  cor- 
dial co-operation  in  all  my  efforts  to  conduct  your 
meeting  successfully,  we  will  now  proceed  to  the 
regular  order  of  exercises. 

The  Hon.  R.  C.  Kirk  was  then  introduced,  and 
delivered  the  address  of  welcome.  I am  sorry  he 
did  not  furnish  me  with  a copy  of  his  address,  for 
this  work  is  incomplete  without  it.  I have  to  be 
content  with  saying  that  it  was  perfectly  splendid, 
and  appropriate  for  the  occasion. 


l{ eii| aTlys  by  Gjeifetkil  'iWde 


On  behalf  of  the  20th  Ohio,  I tender  to  you,  sir, 
profound  thanks  for  your  kind  greeting,  and  to 
you,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  for  your  warm  welcome. 
The  survivors  of  the  regiment  meet  here  in  their 
first  reunion  since  the  war.  As  college  graduates 
when  they  assemble  at  annual  meetings,  or  as  the 
scattered  members  of  a family  when  they  gather 
at  some  festival  in  the  parental  home,  talk  first  of 
all  of  old  times  when  they  were  young  together,  so 
Ave  to-day  instinctively,  at  sight  of  each  other, 
turn  back  to  the  times  when,  in  uniforms  of  blue, 
Ave  stood  side  by  side  in  camp  and  march  and  bat- 
tle. It  will  not  be  inappropriate,  therefore,  to  give 
a rapid  sketch  of  the  history  of  the  regiment,  that 
you,  our  hosts,  may  come  to  know  us  better,  while 
Ave  indulge  in  reminiscenses  of  the  past. 


15 


The  field  and  staff  officers  were  appointed  first. 
Companies  were  recruited  afterwards.  Colonel 
Whittlesey,  Major  Force  and  Quartermaster 
Hitchcock  reported  at  Camp  Chase  in  the  latter 
part  of  August,  1861,  and  Company  A soon  after 
marched  in  and  was  mustered  in  on  the  6th  of 
September.  Colonel  Whittlesey  was  soon  ap- 
pointed Engineer  in  Chief  on  the  staff  of  General 
Mitchell,  and  the  regiment  recruited  under  the 
personal  supervision  of  Lieut.  Colonel  Force  and 
Major  McElroy,  at  Camp  Chase,  then  Camp 
Dennison,  then  in  barracks  in  Cincinnati,  then  in 
Camp  King,  back  of  Covington,  Ky. 

While  in  Camp  King,  besides  daily  instruction 
of  schools  of  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers, 
drill  by  squad,  company  and  battalion,  and  night 
drills  in  the  woods,  details  were  sent  every 
three  days  to  guard  the  line  of  detached  earth- 
works south  of  Covington  and  Newport,  and  Colo- 
nel Whittlesey,  an  experienced  regular  army  of- 
ficer, took  detachments  on  marches  over  the 
country.  Colonel  Whittlesey,  in  the  autumn,  took 
four  companies  down  the  river  to  Warsaw,  Ky.,  to 
quell  an  insurrectionary  movement,  and  when  win- 
ter came  on,  the  rest  of  the  regiment  moved  into 
barracks  in  Cincinnati. 

The  20tli,  being  in  the  field,  was  mustered  in  on 
the  21st  of  October,  though  then  little  more  than 
half  full! 

On  the  lltli  of  February,  1862,  nine  companies, 
leaving  Company  K to  complete  its  organization, 
embarked  on  two  small  steamers  and  arrived  be- 
fore Fort  Donelson  on  Friday.  Next  day  the  reg- 
iment marched  to  the  right  of  the  line  and  was  held 


16 


in  reserve.  Sunday  morning,  when  preparing  to 
charge  the  fort,  its  surrender  was  announced, 

The  20th  was  sent  north  on  a fleet  of  boats, 
guarding  five  thousand  prisoners  of  war,  and 
seemed  hopelessly  scattered,  A detachment  was 
left  at  Fort  Donelson,  guarding  the  transporta- 
tion ; a detachment  was  still  at  Warsaw  ; Company 
K was  still  at  Cincinnati ; the  rest  were  at  Cairo, 
St.  Louis,  Chicago,  Columbus  and  Boston.  By 
the  middle  of  March,  seven  companies,  under 
Lieut.  Colonel  Force,  rendezvoused  at  Cairo,  and 
proceeded  up  the  Tennessee  river  on  the  Conti- 
nental, General  Sherman’s  headquarters  boat. 
Continual  traveling  on  boats  and  cars  had  so 
effected  the  health  of  the  men,  that  while  we  lay 
at  Savannah,  on  the  Tennessee,  the  20th  went  by 
the  name  of  “ the  sick  regiment.”  But  when  the 
sick  regiment  went  out  to  drill,  the  rest  stopped  to 
look  on. 

The  regiment  went  with  the  expedition  to  Yel- 
low Creek,  returned  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  and 
finally,  the  ten  companies  being  assembled,  it  was 
assigned  to  a brigade,  composed  of  the  20th,  56th, 
76th  and  78th  Ohio,  in  General  Lew  Wallace’s 
division,  at  Crump’s  Landing,  Colonel  Whittlesey 
commanding  the  brigade,  and  marched  to  an  ad- 
vanced post  at  Adamsville. 

Before  daylight,  Saturday,  5th  of  April,  the 
brigade  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  General  Wal- 
lace brought  out  the  rest  of  the  division  from 
Crump’s  Landing.  No  attack  being  made,  the 
rest  of  the  division  returned  to  the  Landing. 
While  on  Sunday  inspection,  next  day,  hearing 
the  cannonade  at  Shiloh,  the  regiment  was  ordered 


17 


to  strike  camp  and  prepare  for  march.  Order  to 
march  was  given  about  two  o’clock  P.  M.,  and  af- 
ter dark  we  reached  the  vacant  camp  of  the  81st 
Ohio.  There  we  lay  down  on  the  ground  in  two 
ranks,  on  the  slope  of  the  hill,  through  the  night, 
drenched  with  rain  and  listening  to  the  unearthly 
shrieks  of  wounded  mules  and  the  booming  of  the 
naval  guns. 

In  the  battle  of  Monday,  the  20th  formed  the 
extreme  right  of  the  army.  While  marching  into 
position  by  the  flank,  an  unseen  battery  opened  on 
it,  but,  without  pausing,  the  regiment  charged  upon 
it  and  drove  it  from  the  field. 

During  the  advance  on  Corinth,  the  20th  was 
detailed  to  guard  a long  exposed  line  towards 
Purdy,  and  upon  the  evacuation  marched  through 
Purdy  to  Bolivar.  It  soon  moved  on  to  Grand 
Junction,  where  Colonel  Leggett  commanded  the 
20th,  68th  and  78th  Ohio,  four  guns  and  four  com- 
panies of  cavalry,  the  command  being  posted  in 
town,  except  the  20th,  which  was  encamped  sepa- 
rately a mile  in  advance.  This  post,  twenty-two 
miles  out  from  Bolivar,  isolated,  exposed,  and  con- 
tinually threatened  by  cavalry,  was  held  secure  by 
keeping  detachments  continually  on  the  march 
scouring  the  country,  until  the  command  was  re- 
called to  Bolivar.  While  camp  was  at  Bolivar, 
Colonel  Leggett’s  brigade,  the  20th  and  78th,  was 
incessantly  engaged  in  marches  of  reconnoissance. 

At  one  o’clock  A.  M.  the  5th  of  August,  the 
20th  left  Boliver  with  a supply  train  for  General 
Ord  and  General  Hurlbut,  who  had  moved  to  in- 
tercept General  Price  the  day  before,  and,  march- 
ing twenty-eight  miles,  reached  the  battle  field  at 
3 


18 


four  o’clock  P.  M.,  turned  over  the  train,  and  went 
out  in  pursuit  of  prisoners.  Next  day,  the  regi- 
ment was  sent  on  a reconnoissance,  and  returning 
to  camp  at  sunset,  was  despatched,  without  a halt, 
in  company  with  two  other  regiments,  guarding 
the  prisoners  taken  in  battle  to  Bolivar. 

On  the  30th  of  August,  the  pickets  in  front  of 
the  brigade  reported  cavalry  in  front.  A detach- 
ment of  the  20th  was  sent  out;  the  brigade  fol- 
lowed ; four  companies  of  cavalry  and  two  guns 
were  added ; and  this  little  force  fought  all  day 
with  the  cavalry  brigades  of  Armstrong  and  Jack- 
son,  fifteen  regiments  strong,  till  the  enemy  with- 
drew at  sundown,  and  the  little  brigade,  all  fagged 
out,  dragged  itself  back  to  town.  This  engage- 
ment attracted  attention  at  Washington,  and  Col- 
onel Crocker,  commanding  at  Bolivar,  was  pro- 
moted Brigadier  General  in  recognition  of  it. 

When  the  movement  was  made  on  General 
Price  at  Iuka,  the  20th  moved  by  rail  to  Burnes- 
ville,  and  was  kept  constantly  employed  in  recon- 
noissance. On  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  Sep- 
tember, when  General  Ord  moved  on  to  Iuka, 
unaware  of  General  Rosecrans’  battle  of  the  day 
before,  the  regiment  was  placed  at  the  rear  of  the 
column.  General  Ord  sent  a staff  officer  to  tell  me 
that  the  regiment  was  placed  there  on  account  of 
its  hard  work  for  the  previous  three  days,  but  as 
soon  as  the  enemy  should  be  met,  the  20th  should 
be  brought  to  the  front. 

When  General  Grant  moved  on  the  28th  of  No- 
vember, from  La  Grange  into  Northern  Mississip- 
pi, General  Leggett’s  brigade  was  permanently 
organized  as  the  2d  Brigade  of  Logan’s  Division, 


19 


and  comprised  the  20th,  68th  and  78th  Ohio,  and 
30th  Illinois.  When  the  army  reached  the  Ya- 
conapatapa  river,  the  20th,  with  two  guns,  was 
sent  to  the  front,  across  the  river  and  the  swamp, 
as  advance  guard  of  the  army.  When  the  army 
fell  hack  behind  the  Tallahatchie,  General  Leg- 
gett’s brigade  was  left  south  of  the  river  as  rear 
guard  to  the  army,  and  the  20th  was  posted  by 
itself  a mile  beyond  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  as 
extreme  guard. 

While  lying  here,  in  extreme  want  of  provis- 
ions, foraging,  which  afterwards  became  an  ordi- 
nary duty,  was  resorted  to.  The  20th  and  68th, 
with  a battery,  were  sent  with  a train  of  wagons 
to  a plantation  ten  miles  off,  for  hogs  and  corn. 
Captain  George  Rogers,  of  Company  E,  was  de- 
tailed to  see  the  lady  who  owned  the  plantation. 
When  we  were  leaving,  she  said  to  him,  “ I know, 
sir,  this  is  the  fate  of  war,  and  I can  only  thank 
you  for  the  courtesy  with  which  you  have  per- 
formed your  duty.” 

Many  of  the  men  were  barefooted  in  the  march 
through  rain  and  snow  to  Memphis,  which  was 
reached  on  the  28th  of  January,  1863.  Here  the 
17th  Corps  was  organized,  and  Logan’s  division 
became  its  3d  Division.  The  army  here  prepared 
for  the  Vicksburg  campaign,  though  a large  part 
of  our  occupation  was  holding  courts  martial  and 
sitting  for  photographs.  Here  was  enacted  on  the 
picket  line  the  sequel  to  the  famous  race  to  Oxford 
between  the  20th  and  General  Quinby’s  division. 

On  the  22dof  February,  the  regiment  embarked 
and  sailed  down  the  river  to  Lake  Providence. 
On  the  banks  of  this  lake,  bordered  with  great 


20 


oaks  trailing  witli  Spanish  moss,  in  the  trim  camp, 
where  every  tent  had  a flowering  arbor  in  front, 
the  men  led  an  arcadian  life,  fishing,  bathing, 
boating  and  holding  evening  serenades  on  the  wa- 
ter. But  canal  digging,  and  expeditions  into  the 
swamps  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  gave  variety 
till  we  moved  down  to  Millikin’s  Bend,  on  the 
18th  of  April. 

Here  the  20th,  with  the  30th  Illinois,  was  sent 
out  into  the  swamp  to  build  a road  for  the  army 
to  pass  over  below  Vicksburg.  Every  day,  when 
the  sun  went  down,  the  foliage  of  the  trees  seemed 
to  dissolve  into  swarms  of  gnats  ; the  earth  seemed 
to  smoke  up  with  clouds  of  gnats,  till  the  night  air 
was  a saturated  solution  of  gnats  that  made  1 
breathing  difficult,  sleep  impossible.  Here  we 
first  met  alligators.  The  first  day,  a soldier  found 
up  a tree  by  the  water’s  edge,  declared  that  an  . al- 
ligator came  at  him  from  the  water,  with  distended 
jaws,  and  chased  him  up  the  tree. 

When  the  march  was  begun,  and  the  division 
came  along,  the  20th  stacked  spades,  shouldered 
arms,  took  its  place  in  the  column,  and  marched 
to  the  crossing  at  Bruinsburg.  We  reached  the 
field  of  Port  Gibson  on  the  1st  of  May,  when  the 
battle  was  over.  Colonel  Dennis,  of  the  30th 
Illinois,  promoted  Brigadier  General,  commanded 
the  Brigade  until  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Cham- 
pion Hill,  when  Colonel  Leggett  returned  from  the 
north,  also  a Brigadier  General,  and  resumed  com- 
mand. While  General  Dennis  commanded, 
though  the  other  regiments  shifted  position  every 
day,  the  20tli  was  always  kept  in  the  front,  at  the 
head  of  the  brigade. 


21 


On  the  3d  of  May,  General  McPherson,  observ- 
ing signs  of  the  enemy,  deployed  the  corps  and 
moved  cautiously.  The  2d  Brigade  was  detached 
and  sent  to  the  left  towards  Grand  Gulf.  Making 
a detour  of  twenty  miles,  the  brigade  came  out  in 
front  of  the  corps,  which  had  meanwhile  advanced 
four  miles,  and  then  the  20th,  making  a dash  for 
the  Big  Black  river,  drove  off  a party  of  the  enemy 
who  were  destroying  a temporary  bridge  across 
the  river  at  Hankinson’s  Ferry,  and  prevented  its 
destruction. 

On  the  12th,  the  20th  deployed  as  skirmishers 
in  front  of  the  17th  Corps,  as  it  approached  Ray- 
mond. While  lying  at  a halt  in  the  timber,  by 
Fourteen  Mile  creek,  the  forest  suddenly  rang  with 
a yell  and  a volley.  The  20th  sprang  forward 
into  the  creek,  using  its  bank  for  a breastwork. 
The  fire  was  so  close  that  at  times  muskets  crossed, 
and  some  men  who  were  shot  were  burnt  with  the 
powder.  The  line  gave  way  to  the  right,  and  the 
enemy  there  pushed  on  to  the  rear  of  the  20th. 
The  regiment  held  its  place  till  the  line  was  re- 
formed, and  then  charged.  When  the  battle  was 
over,  and  the  corps  marched  into  Raymond,  the 
20th  was  advanced  beyond  the  town  as  reserve  to 
the  pickets  for  the  night.  In  the  course  of  the 
battle,  Lieutenant  Stevenson,  commanding  Com- 
pany E,  was  severely  wounded,  and  First  Sergeant 
Selby,  whose  commission  as  Lieutenant  was  then 
on  the  way  from  Ohio,  was  killed,  leaving  the  com- 
pany in  command  of  Fifth  Sergeant  Oldroyd,  who 
had  been  appointed  only  a few  days  before.  He 
was  so  ably  seconded  by  Private  John  Conovan, 
that  Conovan  was  appointed  Sergeant  on  the  field. 


22 


On  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Jackson,  the  20th 
was  detailed  to  guard  the  train  from  an  expected 
attack.  At  the  beginning  of  the  battle  of  Cham-  * 
pion  Hill,  the  regiment  lay  in  line  at  the  foot  of 
the  hill,  exposed  to  a dropping  fire,  while  General 
McPherson  was  extending  the  line  to  the  right. 
When  command  was  given,  the  regiment  charged 
up  the  hill  and  drove  the  opposing  line  into  the 
woods.  It  took  position  in  a ravine,  where  the 
fire  was  so  hot  that  staff  officers  could  hardly  ap- 
proach with  orders.  A massed  column  moved 
towards  our  line.  The  two  regiments  adjoining 
the  20tli  recoiled  a space,  but  the  20th,  with  am- 
munition nearly  gone,  fixed  bayonets  and  stood 
with  steel  bristling  above  the  bank  in  their  front, 
till  the  68th  Ohio  came  up  in  support,  bringing- 
ammunition.  When  the  battle  was  over,  we 
marched  several  miles  beyond  the  field  before  go- 
ing into  bivouac  for  the  night. 

The  20th  was  in  place  in  the  line  investing 
Vicksburg,  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  siege,  but 
marched  in  General  Blair’s  reconnoissance  up  the 
Yazoo  to  Patastia,  and  afterwards  formed  part  of 
General  Sherman’s  army  of  observation,  watching 
General  Johnston.  When  the  siege  was  over,  we 
marched  out  to  the  siege  of  Jackson,  and  then  re- 
turned to  rest. 

After  the  termination  of  the  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
a Board  of  Honor  was  appointed  by  General  Mc- 
Pherson, to  award  medals  of  honor  to  officers  and 
soldiers  in  the  corps  who  had  distinguished  them- 
selves by  acts  of  special  gallantry,  in  the  war  up  to 
that  time.  The  following  awards  were  made  to 
the  Twentieth  Ohio  : Gold  medals  to  Brigadier 


23 


General  M.  F.  Force,  as  Colonel  of  the  regiment, 
and  Private  Mathias  Elliott,  of  Company  F ; sil- 
ver medals  to  Captain  Lyman  W,  Ayres,  Captain 
Harrison  Wilson,  Sergeant  John  Rinehart,  of 
Company  B ; Sergeant  David  Robbins,  of  Com- 
pany F,  and  Private  John  Alexander,  of  Com- 
pany D. 

While  lying  about  Vicksburg,  the  20th  formed 
part  of  General  Stevenson’s  expedition  to  Monroe, 
Louisiana,  and,  later,  of  General  McPherson’s  re- 
connoissance  towards  Canton. 

The  20th  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  marched  in 
General  Sherman’s  raid  to  Meridian,  and,  on  the 
return,  went  home  on  the  veterans’  furlough. 

When  the  furlough  expired,  the  regiment  ren- 
dezvoused at  Camp  Dennison,  on  the  1st  of  May, 
1864,  proceeded  to  Cairo,  thence  by  steamers  up 
the  Tennessee  to  Clifton,  and  marching  thence  two 
hundred  and  fifty  miles,  by  Pulaski,  Huntsville, 
Decatur  and  Rome,  joined  Sherman’s  army,  on 
the  9th  of  June,  at  Ackworth.  The  20th,  for  a 
while,  guarded  the  trains,  but  rejoined  the  brigade 
at  Bushy  Ridge,  at  the  foot  of  Kenesaw,  on  the 
23d  of  June,  and  took  part  in  the  demonstration 
made  on  the  27th,  by  General  Leggett,  on  the  ex- 
treme right  of  the  enemy’s  line,  while  the  army 
made  the  assault  on  Kenesaw. 

LTpon  the  evacuation  of  Kenesaw,  General  Leg- 
gett’s division,  including  the  20th,  was  shifted 
from  the  extreme  left  to  the  extreme  right  of  the 
army,  and  operated  about  the  mouth  of  Nickajack 
creek,  till  it  crossed  the  Chattahoochie  on  the  16th 
of  July,  and  took  position  again  on  the  extreme  left 
flank. 


24 


On  the  21st  of  July,  the  First  Brigade  of  the 
division  took  by  assault  a fortified  bald  hill,  de- 
fended by  a portion  of  Coburn’s  famous  division, 
in  full  view  of  Atlanta,  in  easy  range  of  the  guns 
defending  the  city.  In  the  course  of  the  day,  the 
Second  Brigade  moved  up  into  line  with  the  First. 
The  Fourth  Division,  just  come  under  the  com- 
mand of  Giles  A.  Smith,  in  consequence  of  the 
wounding  of  General  Gresham,  moved  up  later, 
extending  the  line  to  the  left. 

Next  day,  about  noon,  General  Hood  having 
moved  out  from  Atlanta  with  his  army,  fell  furi- 
ously upon  Giles  A.  Smith’s  exposed  flank,  and  part 
of  his  force  passing  around,  attacked  General  Leg- 
gett’s division  from  the  rear.  The  men  leaped 
over  the  works  to  the  side  next  to  Atlanta,  and 
repelled  the  assault.  A new  force  coming  up 
from  the  Atlanta  side,  the  men  again  leaped  their 
works  and  repelled  this  new  assault.  The  first 
column  having  rallied,  returned  the  assault,  and, 
the  men  again  leaping  over  their  works,  repelled 
them  again.  Giles  A.  Smith’s  division  being  now 
rolled  up  by  the  flank  attack,  the  force  opposing 
him  moved  up,  and  planting  guns  at  close  range, 
enfiladed  our  line.  Fortunately,  the  men  had 
spent  the  night  in  building  traverses  to  their 
breastworks.  Attacked  on  three  sides,  the  divis- 
ion concentrated  on  the  position  held  by  the  First 
Brigade,  and  there  fought  into  the  night,  hand  to 
hand,  with  bayonets,  clubbed  muskets,  and  officers 
using  their  swords.  Desperate  were  the  contests 
about  the  regimental  colors,  and  for  the  possession 
of  ammunition  boxes. 

At  one  time,  a squad  of  two  dozen  men,  with 


25 


the  colors  of  the  20th  and  78th,  charged  upon  the 
enemy’s  line  and  rescued  a number  who  had  been 
taken  prisoners.  In  this  charge,  the  color  bearer 
of  the  78th  was  killed.  Before  the  colors  touched 
the  ground,  they  were  seized  and  borne  by  Private 
Elliott,  of  Company  F of  the  20th.  In  a moment 
he  was  killed.  His  brother,  of  the  same  company, 
snatched  them  from  falling.  He,  too,  was  at  once 
killed,  and  then  Private  , also  of  the 

same  company,  took  the  colors  and  brought  them 
safely  back  to  the  works.  In  another  charge, 
made  by  a small  party  to  rescue  some  boxes  of 
ammunition,  Private  Blackburn,  of  Company  A, 
was  bayoneted  in  the  hand,  but  knocked  down  his 
assailant  with  his  fist,  shouldered  a box  of  car- 
tridges and  brought  them  back  to  the  regiment. 

In  the  night,  exhaustion  ended  the  conflict.  The 
hill,  afterwards  called  Leggett’s  Hill,  was  held. 
A brigade  took  it  on  the  21st,  an  army  failed  to 
retake  it  on  the  22d. 

The  morning  of  the  23d  found  the  hill  literally 
piled  up  with  dead.  Corpses  lay  in  heaps.  From 
a portion  of  the  ground  fought  over  by  his  divis- 
ion, General  Leggett  buried  and  turned  over  by 
flag  of  truce,  nearly  one  thousand  of  the  enemy’s 
dead. 

For  special  gallantry  in  this  battle,  gold  medals 
of  honor  were  awarded  by  the  Board  of  the  17th 
Corps,  to  Lieutenant  Nutt,  of  Company  F,  and 
Private  Blackburn,  of  Company  A. 

The  division  was  again  moved  around  to  the 
right  flank  of  the  army.  The  20th,  for  a time, 
guarded  the  trains,  but  was  again  in  line  at  the 
battle  of  Jonesboro,  and  at  Lovejoy’s  Station. 

4 


26 


After  remaining  in  camp  a while  after  the  evacu- 
ation of  Atlanta,  the  20th  took  part  in  the  pursuit 
of  General  Hood,  as  far  as  Gaylorsville,  Alabama, 
and  returned  to  camp  near  Marietta. 

On  the  15tli  of  November,  the  army  launched 
out  upon  an  expedition,  facing  towards  the  east, 
and  was  embarked  on  the  march  to  the  sea.  Rail- 
roads were  destroyed,  swamps  were  traversed, 
rivers  were  bridged,  and  the  outposts  of  Savannah 
were  reached.  On  the  19th  of  December,  the  20th 
was  detached  to  build  wharves  on  the  Ogeechee, 
for  the  landing  of  stores,  and  was  so  occupied 
when  Savannah  surrendered. 

On  the  5th  of  January,  1865,  the  regiment 
moved  by  boat  to  Beaufort,  and  before  daylight  of 
the  14th,  crossed  with  the  2d  Brigade  over  a pon- 
toon bridge,  from  the  upper  end  of  the  island  to 
the  main  land,  followed  by  the  rest  of  the  17th 
Corps.  The  brigade  marched  at  the  head  of  the 
column,  brushing  away  opposing  cavalry,  till  the 
advance  was  stopped  by  heavy  field  works  on  the 
farther  side  of  a bayou.  The  1st  Brigade,  making 
a detour,  and  driving  back  opposing  cavalry, 
forced  the  crossing  of  another  bayou,  and  pene- 
trated to  the  rear  of  the  works.  The  skirmish 
line  of  the  20tli,  led  by  Colonel  Wilson,  taking 
the  opportunity,  dashed  at  the  works,  and  the 
force  defending  them  withdrew, 

The  main  column,  with  the  2d  Brigade  at  its 
head,  resumed  the  march,  and  by  sunset  reached 
the  front  of  the  formidable  and  often  attacked,  but 
hitherto  impregnable,  works  near  Pocotalijo, 

These  works  were  abandoned  in  the  night,  and 
next  day  the  20th  moved  on  beyond  Pocotalijo, 


27 


and  aided  in  throwing  np  works  to  be  held  by  Gen- 
eral Foster’s  command,  when  Sherman’s  army 
should  proceed  on  its  march. 

The  march  was  begun  by  the  17th  Corps,  on 
the  30th  of  January.  On  the  2d  of  February, 
when  Generals  Mower  and  Smith  crossed  Whippy 
Swamp,  near  its  junction  with  the  Tallahatchie, 
the  3d  Division  moved  along  the  borders  of  the 
swamp  to  Barker’s  Mills,  where  it  becomes  a 
creek,  in  order  to  save  the  bridge  at  that  point,  in 
anticipation  of  the  arrival  of  the  15th  Corps.  The 
march  was  opposed,  but  not  impeded,  by  cavalry. 
The  crossing  was  reached  just  after  sunset.  The 
skirmishers  of  the  20th  waded  in,  but  found  the 
stream  too  deep  to  be  forded.  The  20th  lined  the 
shore  with  their  fire,  while  the  78th  dashed  across 
the  bridge,  supported  by  the  15th  Ohio  battery, 
which,  posted  on  a rising  ground,  fired  over  their 
heads.  Next  day,  the  division  turned  over  the 
bridge,  uninjured,  to  the  15th  Corps,  on  its  arri- 
val, and  rejoined  the  17th  Corps,  forcing  the 
bloody  crossing  of  the  Tallahatchie. 

On  the  morning  of  the  11th  of  February,  the 
division,  with  the  20th  in  front,  moved  from  the 
South  Fork  of  the  Edisto,  with  orders  to  push  for 
the  North  Fork  of  the  Edisto,  opposite  Orange- 
burg, and  save  the  bridge  from  destruction,  but  not 
to  cross  over.  The  division  coming  up  about  noon 
to  the  edge  of  the  swamp  through  which  the  Edisto 
flows  in  many  channels,  and  to  which  the  opposing 
cavalry  had  been  driven  by  our  cavalry  and  for- 
agers, the  20th  was  detached  and  pushed  into  the 
swamp  at  a double  quick,  driving  the  cavalry  so 
rapidly  as  to  save  the  causeway  and  the  bridges 


28 


over  the  swollen  channels  to  a bend  in  the  road 
near  the  last  bridge,  over  the  principal  channel. 
This  bridge  was  commanded  by  a battery,  which 
opened  as  soon  as  the  cavalry  crossed,  and  the 
20th,  drawn  from  the  road,  was  posted  along  the 
border  of  the  main  stream,  in  the  edge  of  the 
timber,  standing  knee-deep  and  hip-deep  in  the 
water,  so  as  to  cover  the  bridge  with  their  rifles. 

In  the  afternoon,  Colonel  Wiles,  of  the  2d  Brig- 
ade, found  the  river  a mile  above,  subdivided  into 
a greater  number  of  channels,  so  that  by  fording, 
and  by  felling  trees,  men  could  get  over.  A party 
sent  by  Colonel  Fairchild,  commanding  the  1st 
Brigade,  found  that,  a mile  below,  the  river  was 
concentrated  into  one  stream,  with  solid  ground  on 
our  side,  and  bordered  by  swamp  on  the  farther 
side.  When  I went  in  the  evening  to  report  this 
to  General  Blair,  General  Sherman  and  General 
Howard  were  with  him.  As  soon  as  I finished, 
General  Sherman  said  at  once  to  General  Blair, 
“Yes,  the  lower  place  is  the  place  to  cross.  Make 
your  crossing  there,  your  feint  at  the  bridge,  your 
diversion  above.” 

In  the  night  the  enemy  threw  some  pitch  on 
the  bridge,  and  set  fire  to  it,  burning  some  of  the 
planking  but  not  injuring  the  timbers.  In  the 
night,  the  3d  Division,  relieved  by  Giles  Smith, 
left  the  position  about  the  bridge,  and  constructed 
a road  to  the  proposed  crossing, 

Next  morning  a pontoon  bridge  was  constructed 
at  the  proposed  crossing,  the  division  passed  over, 
waded  through  the  swamp,  and  emerged  into  a long 
stretch  of  fields  that  extended  to  the  city.  The 
2d  Brigade  was  sent  by  a by-road  to  cut  the 


29 


railroad  below  tbe  city,  while  the  1st  Brigade 
marched  on  to  the  battery  that  was  still  firing 
across  the  river  at  Giles  Smith.  The  fire  was 
turned  on  the  brigade,  but  on  its  approach  the 
guns  were  limbered  up  and  hurried  off.  As  the 
brigade  was  ascending  the  slope  to  the  town,  an 
officer  and  three  men  of  Giles  Smith’s  division, 
clambered  over  the  stringers  of  the  burned  bridge 
and  entered  the  city  in  company  with  the  brigade. 
The  bridge  was  repaired  and  Giles  Smith  and 
Mower,  with  the  trains,  crossed  over  it.  Orange- 
burg was  strongly  held  and  an  obstinate  resist- 
ance was  expected,  but  only  the  skirmish  line  was 
able  to  fire  on  the  railway  train  that  took  towards 
Columbus  the  last  of  the  garrison. 

On  the  evening  of  the  loth,  the  20th  and  68th 
Ohio,  under  Colonel  Wiles,  forced  the  crossing  of 
Congaree  creek,  at  Taylor’s  bridge,  wading  the 
creek,  and  in  the  night  rebuilt  the  bridge.  The 
force  that  was  opposing  the  15th  Corps  at  Conga- 
ree creek,  being  flanked  by  this  movement,  with- 
drew next  morning  and  left  the  passage  unop- 
posed. 

The  20th  reached  position  near  Bentonville,  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  19th  of  March,  entrenched 
next  day,  and  the  enemy  withdrew  on  the  night  of 
the  20th.  On  the  24th  of  March,  the  regiment 
moved  into  Goldsborough,  ragged,  barefooted  and 
hungry,  but  in  jubilant  spirits,  confident  in  its  in- 
vincibility, and  ready,  after  a two  weeks’  rest,  to 
march  wherever  the  army  commander  should 
direct. 

In  this  march  of  fifty-four  days,  there  was 
not  much  fighting,  but  there  was  terrible  toil. 


30 


General  Joe.  Johnston  often  told  General  Sherman 
that  his  Engineers  had  reported  it  was  a mere  im- 
possibility for  an  army  train  to  pass  over  the  lower 
portion  of  South  Carolina  in  the  winter,  and  he 
did  not  dream  the  attempt  would  be  made.  The 
loose  soil,  nowhere  solid,  the  abundance  of  swamps, 
the  frequent  rain  melting  the  earth  away,  afforded 
no  foundation  for  two  thousand  loaded  wagons,  be- 
sides batteries,  ambulances  and  saddle  horses. 

The  roads  were  given  up  to  wheels  ; the  troops 
made  their  own  roads  along  side.  The  wagons 
were,  of  course,  continually  sticking  and  mired  to 
the  hubs.  It  was  necessary  all  the  while,  to  build 
corduroy  road  for  the  wagons,  besides  constructing 
ways  for  the  troops.  All  the  divisions  were  em- 
ployed in  this  way.  The  amount  of  this  work 
done  by  the  3d  Division,  while  making  this  march 
of  four  hundred  and  thirty-two  miles,  made  in  the 
aggregate : 15  miles,  1353  yards  of  corduroy  road 
for  wagons  ; 122  miles,  627  yards  of  side  road  for 
troops,  303  yards  of  small  bridges  where  pontoons 
could  not  be  used  ; 1 mile,  520  yards  of  infantry 
intrenchments,  besides  erecting  a battery  for  two 
guns  and  another  for  three  guns,  and  destroying, 
14  miles,  800  yards  of  railway,  heating  and  twist- 
ing spirally  every  rail.  The  toilsome  dragging- 
through  the  mud  continually,  prolonged  the  march 
into  the  night.  For  days  and  nights  together,  the 
division  was  on  the  road  day  and  night,  till  the 
men  were  haggard  for  want  of  sleep. 

After  two  weeks  of  rest  and  preparation  at 
Goldsboro,  the  army,  exhilarated  with  the  news  of 
the  surrender  of  Richmond,  moved  out  for  Raleigh, 
and  on  the  way,  while  floundering  in  a swamp, 


31 


heard  borne  swiftly  along  the  column,  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  surrender  of  Lee.  While 
pausing  at  Raleigh,  the  army  sat  one  day  in  their 
tents,  silent  in  the  gloom  of  grief  and  brooding- 
wrath  upon  the  tidings  of  the  death  of  Lincoln. 
Another  day,  when  just  stretched  out  on  the 
road  to  resume  the  march,  they  were  crazed  with 
joy  by  the  proclamation  of  the  final  surrender  of 
Johnston  and  the  close  of  the  war. 

The  work  was  done.  Nothing  was  left  but  to 
march  home  and  cast  aside  the  trappings  of  war. 
On  the  route  from  Raleigh  to  Washington,  the 
veterans  moved  easily  and  rapidly  over  solid 
ground.  Though  Sherman’s  army,  sixty  thousand 
bummers,  poured  along  the  country  roads,  not  a 
chicken  started  in  alarm,  the  grunting  pigs  lay 
still  and  winked  in  lazy  security  at  the  tramping 
columns.  For  peace  had  come.  The  rights  of  war 
were  laid.  It  was  a column  of  sixty  thousand 
farmers  traveling  along  their  brothers’  farms,  and 
property  was  sacred. 

The  army  passed  in  review  at  Washington,  and 
tarried  awhile  at  Louisville.  The  20th  left  Lou- 
isville on  the  15th  of  July,  for  Camp  Chase,  for 
the  final  muster  out,  and  all  the  paraphernalia  of 
war  melted  away  like  storm  clouds  before  the  sun, 
leaving  the  sky  of  peace  to  bless  us  all. 

From  the  time  of  the  muster-in  of  the  first  com- 
pany at  Camp  Chase,  to  the  final  muster-out,  was 
four  years,  lacking  little  more  than  a month. 
From  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  regiment  be- 
fore Fort  Donelson,  to  the  surrender  of  General 
Johnston,  was  more  than  three  years.  For  the 
greater  part  of  this  time,  I had  the  fortune  to  be 


32 


associated  with  the  regiment,  either  as  one  of  its 
officers,  or  as  commander  of  the  brigade  or  divis- 
ion in  which  it  served.  During  the  whole  of  the 
time  of  which  I can  speak  from  personal  knowl- 
edge, after  its  entering  into  actual  service,  it  was 
continuously  in  the  field,  on  active  duty,  at  the  ex- 
treme front,  and  a great  part  of  the  time  in 
exposed  situations.  But  the  20th  Ohio  was  never 
taken  by  surprise,  was  never  thrown  into  con- 
fusion, never  gave  back  under  fire  ; it  took  every 
point  it  was  ordered  to  take,  and  held  every  posi- 
tion it  was  ordered  to  hold. 

The  instruction  of  Colonel  Whittlesey,  in  the 
beginning  of  our  service,  in  using  all  practicable 
cover  in  battle,  saved  many  lives.  According  to 
the  muster  rolls  in  Columbus,  sixty -two  of  the  reg- 
iment were  killed  and  two  hundred  and  eighteen 
died  of  wounds  and  disease  while  in  the  service. 
How  many  of  the  discharged  went  home  to  die, 
and  how  many  have  died  since  the  war  of  their 
wounds,  we  have  no  means  of  knowing.  But 
when  we  think  of  Colonel  Fry,  and  Colonel  McEl- 
roy,  and  Captain  Walker,  Captain  Ayres,  Captain 
Edwards,  Lieutenant  Hale  and  the  many  others 
we  can  name,  we  shrink  from  the  count.  But 
Colonel  Whittlesey,  the  father  of  the  regiment, 
thank  God,  still  lives  and  is  with  us  here  to-day. 
And  General  Leggett,  who,  as  the  20th  and  78th 
were  wedded  during  the  war,  is  our  father-in-law, 
thank  God,  still  lives  and  is  with  us  here  to-day. 
And  a goodly  number  of  the  regiment,  who  show 
by  their  lives  that  true  soldiers  in  war  make 
trusty  citizens  in  peace,  thank  God,  still  live  and 
are  gathered  here  to-day. 


33 


The  narrative  is  now  ended.  But  before  closing 
I desire  to  say  one  or  two  things  in  general,  which 
apply  not  only  to  the  2Uth  Ohio,  but  as  well  to  the 
army  of  which  it  formed  a part. 

I have  often  heard  it  said  that  the  western  army 
was  wanting  in  discipline.  And  it  is  true  that  in 
the  matter  of  salutes,  of  forms  of  respect,  all  those 
things  that  constitute  what  may  be  called  military 
etiquette,  and  which  are  undoubtedly  an  important 
branch  of  discipline,  the  western  army  was  defi- 
cient. Our  military  education  was  hurried,  and 
man}^  things  were  never  learned.  But  in  the  vital 
matter  of  discipline,  in  that  which  constitutes  its 
soul  and  essence,  in  unquestioning  obedience  of  or- 
ders, the  western  army  was  not  behind  any.  If 
an  order  was  disregarded,  the  unfortunate  recusant 
suffered. 

In  the  autumn  of  1862,  a division,  moving  out 
of  Bolivar  to  begin  a march,  was  slow  and  irregu- 
lar in  getting  on  the  road.  The  division  com- 
mander was  relieved  and  sent  home.  On  the 
march,  orders  were  sent  out  every  night  specify- 
ing the  hour  at  which  the  march  would  be  resumed 
in  the  morning,  and  we  moved  by  the  minute  hand 
of  the  watch.  One  morning,  in  Georgia,  a brigade 
was  not  ready  at  the  appointed  time ; another 
brigade  took  its  place.  That  night  an  order  was 
issued  disbanding  the  brigade  and  assigning  the 
regiments  to  other  brigades.  At  the  beginning  of 
the  march  from  Atlanta  to  Savannah,  a general  order 
was  published,  prohibiting  soldiers  from  entering 
any  house,  except  on  order  of  an  officer.  One  day, 
when  the  column  was  lying  at  rest  at  a halt,  a sol- 
dier stepped  to  a house  and  stood  awhile  in  the 
5 


34 


doorway  without  going  farther.  At  that  night’s 
camp,  he  was  tried  by  regimental  court-martial 
and  sentenced  to  a stoppage  of  pay.  Another  sol- 
dier, who  entered  a house  and  pillaged  some  arti- 
cle, and  an  article  of  trifling  value,  was  tried  by 
general  court-martial  when  we  reached  Savannah, 
and  sentenced  to  death. 

But  were  not  Sherman’s  bummers  proof  of  a 
want  of  discipline?  They  are  here  to  speak  for 
themselves.  They  were  the  foragers  of  the  army. 
The  trains  could  not  carry  sufficient  supplies.  On 
setting  out  on  the  march  from  Pocotalijo,  that 
lasted  fifty-four  days,  the  3d  division,  for  example, 
took  twenty-eight  days  of  hard  bread,  thirty  days 
of  coffee,  and  some  sugar  and  salt.  The  wagons 
and  haversacks  could  carry  no  more.  Some  cattle 
were  taken  along,  but  not  a pound  of  meat  was 
taken  in  the  wagons.  To  live  on  the  country  was 
a necessity,  a mere  matter  of  course.  An  invading 
army  always  subsists  partially  or  wholly  upon  the 
country  over  which  it  passes.  Napoleon,  in  his 
maxims,  discusses  the  relative  merits  of  drawing- 
subsistence  by  requisition  and  drawing  it  by  direct 
seizure.  In  the  densely  inhabited  countries  of 
Europe,  the  alternative  exists.  But  in  our  sparsely 
settled  States,  where  towns  are  few  and  small  and 
scantily  supplied,  and  provisions  are  mainly  found 
on  the  scattered  plantations,  there  is  no  means  but 
direct  seizure. 

Foragers  were  a necessity.  Every  morning,  an 
officer  and  a squad  of  men  from  every  regiment, 
regularly  detailed  and  mounted,  were  sent  out  to 
scour  the  country  and  bring  in  supplies.  They 
commonly  went  10,  sometimes  20  miles  off  from 


35 


the  line  of  march.  By  intelligence  that  seemed 
instinct,  they  divined  where  the  column  would 
halt  for  the  night.  Gathering  there,  they  observed 
the  staff  officers  indicate  the  ground  for  divisions 
and  brigades,  and  each  squad  knowing  the  position 
of  its  regiment  in  the  brigade  line,  unloaded  at  the 
spot  where  their  comrades  were  to  arrive.  And 
so  the  troops  that  reached  camp  before  morning, 
found  camp  fires  burning  for  them,  and  supplies 
for  supper  on  the  ground. 

These  foragers,  spreading  like  a cloud  over  the 
country,  veiled  the  progress  of  the  column. 
Whenever  they  heard  a shot,  they  at  once  hastened 
to  the  spot.  If  any  squad  was  attacked,  help  soon 
came.  If  they  were  pressed  back,  they  continu- 
ally grew  stronger  by  concentration,  till  they  could 
repel  whatever  force  attacked  them.  So  the 
infantry  tugged  their  wagons  through  the  roads 
undisturbed.  General  Sherman  told  me  that 
General  Johnston  said  to  him:  “Your  foragers 

were  the  most  efficient  light  cavalry  ever  known. 
They  covered  your  flanks  so  completely  that  I 
could  never  penetrate  through  them  far  enough  to 
feel  your  column.  And  the  fact  that  they  could  be 
sent  so  far  off  from  the  eyes  of  the  commanding- 
officers,  and  return  regularly  at  night,  is  proof  of 
the  highest  state  of  discipline  in  your  army.” 

Comrades  of  the  20th  Ohio,  the  four  years  we 
spent  together — four  years  sparkling  with  fun,  yet 
tremulous  with  pathos,  laden  with  anguish,  enno- 
bled with  high  purpose  and  lofty  resolve — teem 
with  memories  that  are  interwoven  with  the  very 
texture  of  our  hearts.  We  could  as  soon  forget 
the  hours  of  our  childhood  ; we  could  as  soon  for- 


36 


get  our  mothers’  love,  as  forget  the  ties  that  bound 
us  to  each  other.  Yet  we  pray  those  years  may 
never  return.  We  pray  this  land  may  be  free 
from  civil  strife  forever  more. 

War  is  essentially  cruel.  Its  purpose  is  de- 
struction. Like  the  surgeon  practicing  his  pro- 
fession, the  soldier,  in  the  progress  of  war,  finds 
his  sensibility  grow  dull  to  inevitable  sutfering. 
War  grows  more  relentless  the  longer  it  lasts.  It 
is  simply  horrible  if  not  undertaken  for  some 
worthy  end.  But  when  begun  from  principle,  and 
carried  on  from  duty  to  enforce  a sacred  right,  war 
is  consecrated  ; it  calls  into  action  all  that  is  noblest 
and  best  in  man,  and  atfords  some  compensation 
for  its  calamities. 

Who  can  count  the  hearts  that  bled?  Who  can 
number  the  homes  that  mourned  ? Yet  every 
man  who  gave  his  life  a willing  sacrifice  for  us 
and  for  his  country,  by  showing  us  how  to  die  in- 
structed us  how  we  should  live.  And  every  woman 
who,  in  her  errand  of  mercy,  gave  her  life  to  save 
the  lives  of  others,  blessed  the  earth  like  an  angel 
visitant  from  higher  spheres.  And  while  the  war 
strode  across  the  land  like  a tornado,  scattering 
havoc  and  devastation,  yet,  like  a tornado,  it  dis- 
pelled the  miasma  that  was  poisoning  our  system. 
We  were  one  nation  living  under  one  government; 
but  the  two  sections,  opposed  in  their  institutions, 
were  continually  growing  asunder,  divergent  and 
alienated.  The  war  swept  away  the  cause  of  dif- 
ference, and  left  us  not  only  one  in  nationality  and 
one  in  government,  but  one  in  institutions.  This 
generation  must  bear  the  sutfering  and  wear  the 
scars,  but  posterity  will  reap  the  benefit. 


37 


Comrades,  we  no  more  camp  and  march  and  bat- 
tle side  by  side.  Our  homes  are  widely  scattered ; 
we  follow  diverse  pursuits  ; we  worship  in  various 
churches  ; we  vote  in  different  parties ; but  we  still 
are  one  in  declaring  that  the  war  must  not  be  in 
vain ; its  results  shall  stand ; this  nation  shall  be 
forever  one  ; its  laws  shall  be  obeyed,  and  the  gov- 
ernment saved  at  so  great  cost,  shall  be  adminis- 
tered with  such  honor  and  purity  as  to  justify  the 
cost  of  saving  it.  But  we  cannot  ask  of  others 
what  we  fail  ourselves  to  do.  It  is  the  duty  of 
every  man,  above  all  it  is  the  duty  of  every  sol- 
dier who  served  in  the  war,  to  show  in  his  own  life 
an  example  of  that  obedience  to  law  and  purity  of 
character  that  we  demand  in  others.  See  to  it 
that  this  great  land  is  the  home  of  a nation  truly 
great;  and  when  the  next  centennial  year  rolls 
around,  posterity,  while  honoring  the  founders  of 
the  Republic,  may  have  some  kind  words  for  those 
who  saved  it  in  its  sorest  peril. 


Cincinnati,  15th  April,  1876. 

Capt.  D.  W.  Wood — Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  yesterday,  just 
received,  gave  me  quite  a start.  I have  been  at  the  court-house 
until  eleven  o’clock  or  later,  every  night  since  I returned  from  Mt. 
Vernon,  and  have  not  been  able  to  do  anything  whatever.  I did 
not  feel  troubled,  however,  as  I understood  you  to  say  you  would 
not  need  the  manuscript  for  two  or  three  weeks.  I will  at  once  find 
some  time  to  put  my  manuscript  in  order,  or  else  send  it  to  you  in 
disorder. 

The  photograph  came  in  good  order,  and  is  an  excellent  picture. 
I should  like  to  have  a copy  of  the  photo,  of  the  regiment,  and  of 
the  three  colonels.  I think  the  picture  is  better  when  taken  di- 
rectly from  the  negative  without  being  retouched. 

If  you  could  take  the  trouble  to  let  me  know  the  price  of  them, 
I should  be  glad  to  send  it,  together  with  my  contribution  towards 
the  cost  of  printing  the  pamphlet. 


38 


I have  thought  over  what  a capital  time  we  had  at  Mt.  Vernon. 
I have  been  at  larger  military  re-unions,  and  more  elaborate,  but 
never  at  one  that  was  more  thoroughly  enjoyable,  or  where  the 
preparations  were  more  complete  or  the  hospitality  more  warm 
and  graceful.  Truly,  yours,  M.  F.  FORCE. 


of  do].  dl\k$.  Wl)ittle$ey, 

April  6,  1870. 


To  the  Surviving  Members  of  the  20 th  Regiment  Ohio 

Volunteers  : 

T have  met  very  few  of  you  since  we  parted  on 
the  battle  ground  of  Shiloh,  in  the  latter  part  of 
April,  1862. 

Our  separation  at  that  time,  was  the  result  of 
circumstances  that  were  imperative.  I am  confi- 
dent that  any  of  you  would  have  made  the  same 
decision  under  the  same  circumstances. 

To  me,  the  separation  was  decidedly  painful. 
On  my  part,  the  letter  addressed  to  you  on  that 
memorable  morning,  expressed  only  in  a brief  and 
formal  way,  my  personal  attachment  to  the  regi- 
ment. [*  See  copy  attached  hereto.]  I felt  for 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  command  a sincere  re- 
spect and  regard,  which  to  this  hour  has  not  be- 
come less.  It  was  with  great  reluctance  I accepted 
the  position  of  Colonel  in  the  volunteers,  very 
much  preferring  the  place  and  duty  of  a Military 
Engineer.  I knew  that  you  were  citizens,  in  all 
respects  my  equals,  enlisting  in  the  war  from  mo- 
tives of  patriotism,  before  the  days  of  bounties 


39 


and  conscriptions.  I was  also  conscious  that 
without  discipline,  you  would  never  aid  much  in 
the  accomplishment  of  what  you  all  wished  to  ac- 
complish, the  destruction  of  the  rebellion.  But  I 
had  an  instinctive  dread  of  the  effects  of  the  se- 
verity of  camp  life,  coming  as  you  did  from  com- 
fortable homes  and  social  surroundings.  We 
were  personally  strangers  to  each  other.  Most  of 
the  companies  came  from  portions  of  the  State 
where  I was  not  acquainted.  With  one  exception, 
each  company  was  from  different  counties,  and 
were  strangers  to  each  other.  Companies  coming 
into  Camp  Chase,  assigned  to  me,  were  frequently 
directed  to  other  regiments.  It  was  a long  time 
before  the  regiment  was  full,  and  before  we  got 
acquainted  with  each  other.  The  more  I per- 
ceived among  the  men  and  officers  a high  grade  of 
intelligence,  the  more  I dreaded  the  effects  of  dis- 
cipline upon  you.  I found  myself  in  command  of 
nearly  a thousand  mechanics,  farmers,  lawyers, 
physicians  and  merchants  ; but  the  question 
weighed  incessantly  upon  my  mind — -what  kind  of 
soldiers  will  they  make  ? Many  of  you,  at  home, 
were  men  of  business  position  and  property,  and 
the  great  query  was,  when  the  day  of  battle  shall 
come,  how  will  they  fulfill  their  duty  as  soldiers  ? 
But  these  were  useless  apprehensions.  I soon 
found  you  had  a good  set  of  officers,  which  was  a 
great  relief.  The  Adjutant,  Lieutenant  Owens  ; 
Quartermaster,  Lieutenant  Hitchcock,  were  of  my 
own  selection.  Their  subsequent  conduct  justified 
all  that  I expected  of  them.  The  field  officers, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Force  and  Major  James  McEl- 
roy,  came  into  the  regiment  by  assignment,  but  I 


40 


could  not  have  done  better  if  I had  appointed 
them  myself.  I found  the  Captains  and  subalterns 
were  of  a much  higher  order  than  I had  reason  to 
expect.  They  went  to  work  harmoniously,  per- 
fecting the  discipline  of  their  men,  who  took  to  it 
much  more  kindly  than  I expected.  I had  not 
then  learned  the  lesson  that  soldiers,  in  a patriotic 
war,  may  be  made  valuable  just  in  proportion  to 
their  intelligence. 

A portion  of  my  time  was  still  occupied  in  en- 
gineering duty,  and  work  perfecting  the  command 
fell  largely  upon  the  other  officers. 

When  we  moved  into  the  lines  opposite  Cincin- 
nati, in  October,  1861,  the  troubles  I had  antici- 
pated from  the  vicinity  of  grog-shops,  were  not  re- 
alized. The  men  appeared  to  have  a personal 
self-respect  as  citizens  and  an  ambition  to  do  their 
duty  as  soldiers. 

In  constructing  the  defences  of  Covington,  I 
needed  mechanics  as  well  as  laborers,  and  found 
no  difficulty  in  getting  details  from  the  regiment, 
who  could  do  every  kind  of  work  and  do  it  wil- 
lingly. 

When  we  were  ordered  down  the  river  into 
Kentucky,  as  a police  force  over  the  counties  of 
Boone,  Owen,  Carroll  and  Gallatin,  your  conduct 
there  raised  you  still  higher  in  my  estimation.  I 
began  to  entertain  a feeling  of  confidence.  But, 
as  yet,  you  were  untried  in  battle.  No  one  can 
foresee  how  he  will  acquit  himself,  when  he  meets 
the  enemy  for  the  first  time.  A persistent  battle 
is  the  highest  expression  of  human  courage  and 
energy.  The  first  conflict  is  the  greatest  occasion 
of  a lifetime.  Whoever  passes  this  ordeal  credit- 


41 


ably,  rises  in  his  own  estimation.  If  he  fails,  it  is 
never  forgotten  by  himself  or  his  fellow-men. 

In  February,  1862,  we  were  ordered  to  Padu- 
cah, subject  to  orders  from  General  Grant.  Ar- 
riving there  on  transports,  we  were  turned  about 
instantly,  to  join  the  investment  of  Fort  Donelson. 
Just  as  the  sun  was  setting,  on  the  14th,  our  boats 
reached  the  landing,  a couple  of  miles  below  where 
the  fleet,  under  Commodore  Foote,  was  bombard- 
ing the  fort.  Taking  Adjutant  Owens,  I rode  out 
to  the  lines  for  orders,  through  the  mud  and  snow. 

We  found  the  headquarters  about  dark,  with  no 
one  present  but  an  orderly.  In  a short  time, 
General  Grant  and  staff  returned,  assigning  us  to 
the  right  of  the  line,  under  McClernand,  with  or- 
ders to  remain  on  the  transports  till  morning. 

You  probably  remember  the  parade  at  daylight, 
in  a frozen  cornfield,  and  the  march  over  an  exe- 
crable route  in  search  of  McClernand.  About  10 
o’clock  A.  M.,  his  division  was  pretty  much  disor- 
ganized by  the  rebel  attack  of  that  morning. 
General  McClernand  could  not  be  found,  and  I 
reported  to  General  Lew  Wallace,  who  commanded 
the  centre.  His  orders  were  to  go  in,  as 
soon  as  Colonel  Wood’s  regiment,  the  76th  Ohio, 
had  exhausted  their  ammunition.  The  moment 
had  arrived  for  which  all  our  drill  and  discipline 
had  been  only  the  preparation.  We  were  sur- 
rounded by  circumstances  very  trying  to  new 
troops.  We  lay  in  a thick  wood,  on  an  old  road, 
over  which  the  artillery  passed  to  the  front.  Round 
shot  from  the  fort  was  cutting  off  the  limbs  of  the 
trees  over  our  heads.  An  Illinois  regiment  lay  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  ducking  their  heads 


6 


42 


as  the  shot  whizzed  through  the  leafless  trees. 
Their  Colonel  came  rushing  up  the  road,  saying 
that  Schwartz’  battery  was  captured,  Taylor’s  had 
only  twenty-eight  horses  left,  and  Waterhouse 
could  hold  out  but  little  longer.  The  wounded 
were  being  brought  along  the  road  to  the  rear, 
their  blood  dripping  through  their  blankets  on  the 
snow.  Colonel  Logan  sat  on  his  horse,  wounded 
in  the  shoulder,  suffering  intensely,  waiting  for  a 
surgeon.  A heavy  cannonade  was  going  on  not 
far  to  the  front,  at  the  edge  of  the  timber.  The 
Chicago  Board  of  Trade  Battery  was  ordered  for- 
ward at  a gallop.  In  passing  us,  a gun  upset  and 
caught  a man  under  it,  which  nearly  killed  him. 
It  was  a trying  moment  for  me,  also,  conscious 
that  even  veterans  might  not  move  promptly  into 
line  amid  all  those  discouragements.  Colonel 
Woods’  regiment  was  sent  in;  the  Chicago  battery 
righted  its  gun  and  went  forward  with  a rush. 

Standing  in  the  bushes,  I could  not  see  more 
than  two  or  three  of  our  companies  at  a time. 
Riding  along  the  line  from  the  right,  I called  each 
company  to  attention,  giving  it  special  instructions 
what  to  do.  I could  look  into  the  upturned  face 
of  every  man,  as  they  listened  to  my  directions. 
When  I reached  the  last  company,  every  doubt 
had  vanished.  I experienced  a new  sensation  of 
mingled  pride,  confidence  and  power.  In  the 
“Wandering  Jew.”  I had  read  of  a General  of  the 
Jesuits,  who  had  l^een  a Colonel  of  Cavalry,  relat- 
ing how  he  felt  when  his  regiment  had  proven 
itself  in  a charge.  No  one  can  appreciate  this 
emotion  who  has  not  been  through  his  experi- 
ence. He  thought  himself  magnified  into  a thou- 


43 


sand  men.  Beside  the  idea  of  power,  I experi- 
enced a lofty  military  pride  in  the  command  of 
such  men.  I felt  an  assurance  that  you  would  go 
anywhere  that  I would  go  myself,  and  if  we  should 
fail  of  success  and  be  repulsed,  it  would  not  be  un- 
til the  number  of  the  dead  would  be  such  as  to 
consecrate  the  spot  in  after  times. 

But  the  order  was  soon  changed  from  a move- 
ment direct  to  the  front,  to  one  on  the  right,  form- 
ing a crotchet  against  a presumed  advance  of  the 
enemy  in  pursuit  of  McClernand.  This  was  the 
last  order  I received,  until  the  morning  of  the  sur- 
render, when  General  Grant  directed  me  to  take 
charge  of  the  prisoners.  We  slept  that  night 
among  the  same  regiments  from  Illinois,  who  had 
borne  themselves  so  bravely  in  the  light  of  the 
morning.  Quartermaster  Hitchcock  had  brought 
up  a few  teams  with  rations,  which  we  shared  with 
those  men,  who  were  hungry  and  had  become  vet- 
erans in  a day.  You  were  thus  initiated  into  the 
realities  of  war.  The  next  trial  was  at  Shiloh, 
then  at  Corinth,  and  the  march  to  Grenada,  to 
Vicksburg,  Champion  Hill,  Atlanta  and  the  sea, 
upon  which  General  Force  has  already  discoursed. 
I wish  to  add,  however,  that  I had  frequent  reports 
of  your  behavior  in  these  marches  and  in  the  bat- 
tles I have  named.  You  were  always  on  my  mind 
-my  interest  in  your  reputation  was  equal  to  your 
own. 

From  the  day  of  our  separation  to  this,  I know 
of  nothing  that  abates  the  confidence  and  the  re- 
gard that  flashed  upon  me  on  that  morning  at 
Donelson. 

General  Force  has  said  to  me,  in  his  correspond- 


44 


ence,  that  every  order  you  received  was  not  only 
executed,  but  within  the  time  named  in  the  order, 
I do  not  see  how  any  higher  praise  can  be  given 
to  a regiment  and  to  the  officers  and  men  who  com- 
pose it. 


* Pkrtir^  CWffe$||oi\der\de. 


Camp  Shiloh,  Tenn.,  April  20,  1862. 

To  the  Officers  and  Men  of  the  20 th  Beg.  0.  V ol. : 

I have  found  it  necessary  to  offer  my  resigna- 
tion, which,  having  been  accepted,  I now  retire 
from  the  service. 

Before  separating  myself  from  you,  I wish  to 
express  my  general  satisfaction  with  the  conduct 
of  the  regiment.  Wherever  you  have  been  sta- 
tioned, the  citizens  in  the  vicinity  have  voluntarily 
commended  your  demeanor  toward  them,  your  so- 
briety and  your  intelligence.  I did  not  suppose 
it  possible  to  place  so  many  men  under  the  re- 
straint of  military  life,  with  so  little  difficulty. 
This  is  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  best  citizens, 
those  who  are  the  most  respectable  and  orderly, 
make  the  best  soldiers.  They  submit  to  disci- 
pline from  principle,  rather  than  from  fear  of  pun- 
ishment. I have  taken  pride  in  the  command  of 
such  men,  and  felt  confident  that  when  the  hour  of 
battle  arrived,  you  would  do  your  whole  duty,  as 
you  have  done.  I owe  very  much  of  this  result  to 
the  assiduity  and  capacity  of  the  field  officers  of 


45 


the  regiment  and  the  regimental  staff.  Having 
been  much  of  the  time  on  detached  service,  with- 
out this  hearty  co-operation,  you  might  not  have 
been  so  well  prepared  for  effective  service.  The 
same  may  be  said  of  the  commissioned  officers 
generally.  There  has  also  been  unusual  personal 
harmony  among  the  officers  of  all  grades. 

The  non-commissioned  officers,  too,  have  won 
my  esteem  by  the  fidelity  and  alacrity  with  which 
they  have  performed  their  duties. 

I wish  to  say  further,  that  I remember  no  in- 
stance of  insolent  or  disrespectful  language  being- 
used  toward  myself  by  any  officer  or  man  in  the 
regiment. 

I part  from  you  with  regret,  having  full  confi- 
dence that  you  will  continue  cheerfully  to  submit 
to  discipline,  and  will  never  disgrace  your  present 
reputation  ; that  when  this  infamous  rebellion  is 
broken  up,  as  it  soon  will  be,  you  will  return  to 
your  homes  and  become  good  citizens,  where  you 
will  be  repaid  for  your  toils,  by  the  respect  of  your 
neighbors  and  friends.  There  you  will  enjoy 
through  life  the  proud  consciousness  of  having- 
given  your  best  efforts  in  support  of  the  most 
righteous  and  important  cause  for  which  ever  men 
fought.  CHAS.  WHITTLESEY, 

Col.  20th  Keg.  Ohio  Volunteers. 


Camp  Shiloh, 

Near  Pittsburg  Landing,  Tenn., 
April  21st,  1862. 

Col.  Chas.  Whittlesey — Sir:  We  deeply 

regret  that  you  have  resigned  the  command  of  the 
20th  Ohio.  The  considerate  care  evinced  for  the 


46 


soldiers  in  camp,  and  above  all,  for  the  courage, 
coolness  and  prudence  displayed  on  the  battle- 
held,  have  inspired  officers  and  men  with  the  high- 
est esteem  for,  and  most  unbounded  confidence  in, 
you  as  our  commander. 

From  what  we  have  seen  at  Fort  Donelson,  and 
at  the  bloody  held  near  Pittsburg,  on  Monday,  the 
7th,  all  felt  ready  to  follow  you  unfalteringly  into 
any  contest,  and  into  any  post  of  danger.  While 
giving  expression  to  our  unfeigned  sorrow  at  your 
departure  from  us,  and  assurance  of  our  high  re- 
gard and  esteem  for  you,  and  unwavering  confi- 
dence as  our  leader,  we  would  follow  you  with  the 
earnest  hope  that  your  future  days  may  be  spent 
in  uninterrupted  peace  and  quiet,  enjoying  the 
happy  reflections  and  richly  earned  rewards  of 
well  spent  service  in  the  cause  of  our  blessed 
country  in  its  dark  hour  of  need. 

Your  obedient  servants, 


MANNING  F.  FORCE,  Lt.  Colonel , 
JAMES  N.  McELROY,  Major  20th  JRegt. 


P.  M.  Hitchcock,  Qr.  Master. 
John  C.  Fry,  Capt.  Co.  B. 

J.  M.  McCoy,  “ C. 

A.  Kaga,  “ K. 

T.  M.  Shaklee,  “ I. 

William  Rogers,  “ A. 

V.  T.  Hills,  1st  Lt,  Co.  D. 

A.  J.  Edwards,  “ B. 

Harrison  Wilson,  “ I. 

Henry  M.  Davis,  2d  Lt.  Co.  H. 

W.  H.  Jacobs,  “ E. 

W.  L.  Wad  del,  “ I. 

P.  Weatherby,  “ A. 

Henry  O.  Dwight,  “ H. 


E.  A.  Owen,  Adjutant. 

George  Rogers,  Capt.  Co.  E. 
Chas  H.  McElroy,  “ D. 

Win.  H.  Updegraff,  “ F. 

E.  C.  Downs,  “ H. 

B.  A.  T.  Grier,  1st  Lt.  Co.  E. 
I.  L.  Meleck,  “ G. 

Lyman  N.  Ayres,  “ A. 
E.  Garis,  “ C. 

D.  B.  Rhinehard,  2d  Lt.  Co.  K. 
R.  M.  Colby,  “ B. 

G.  Hale,  “ B. 

Robert  I.  Irwin,  “ C. 

William  D.  Neal,  “ F. 


47 


Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Nov.  20,  1861. 
Maj.  Gen.  Halleck,  St.  Louis: 

Sir  : Will  you  allow  me  to  suggest  the  consideration  of  a great 
movement  by  land  and  water,  up  the  Cumberland  and  Tennessee 
rivers  ? 

1st.  Would  it  not  allow  of  water  transportation  half  way  to 
Nashville  ? * 

2d.  Would  it  not  necessitate  the  evacuation  of  Columbus,  by 
threatening  their  railway  communication  ? 

3d.  Would  it  not  necessitate  the  retreat  of  Gen.  Buckner,  by 
threatening  his  railway  lines  ? 

4th.  Is  it  not  the  most  feasible  route  into  Tennessee  ? 

Yours,  respectfully, 

CHAS.  WHITTLESEY, 

Col.  Chief  Engineer  Dept,  of  Ohio. 

War  Dep’t,  Adj.  Gen’l  Office,  Dec.  11,  1875. 

Official  paper.  L.  H.  PELOUZE, 

Asst.  Adjt.  Gen. 


Cleveland,  O.,  April  24,  1876. 

Capt.  D.  W.  Wood: 

Dear  Sir — I have  just  returned  from  Boston,  Mass.,  and  find 
your  favor  of  the  14tli  inst.  I will,  if  possible,  get  time  to  reduce 
my  “ ramblings  ” at  Mt.  Vernon  to  writing  ; but  don’t  delay  a mo- 
ment for  me,  for  I greatly  fear  I shall  have  no  time  at  my  control. 
I doubt  whether  what  I said  has  any  place,  properly,  in  your  pro- 
posed publication.  \ 

Very  Truly,  &c., 

M.  D.  LEGGETT. 


Sidney,  O.,  May  10,  1876. 

Capt.  Wood,  Mt.  Vernon,  O.: 

My  Dear  Sir — I think  it  impossible  to  give  for  publication,  any 
thing  like  a correct  report  of  my  random  speeches  made  at  our  re- 
union. My  business  engagements  have  been  such,  that  I could 
not  give  my  early  attention  to  your  request,  and  now  everything 
lias  faded  from  memory.  I am  unwilling  to  have  reported  and 
circulated  anything  different  from  what  I said,  which  might  look 
like  an  afterthought,  or  attempt  to  improve  for  the  purpose.  I don’t 
think  the  proceedings  will  lose  interest  by  leaving  my  efforts  out, 
or  by  merely  mentioning  them  incidentally,  as  you  will  have  too 
much  other  matter  too  voluminous  to  report.  Let  me  beg  of  you 
that  you  will  adopt  this  course,  and  excuse  me. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

H.  WILSON. 


48 


Headquarters  20th  Reg’t,  O.  Volunteer,  Infantry', 
Snyder’s  Bluff,  Miss.,  June  3d,  1863. 
Brig.  Gen’l  Charles  W.  Hill,  Adjutant  General  of  0.: 

General — I have  the  honor  to  report  the  following  list  of  cas- 
ualties in  the  20th  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  the  ac- 
tion near  Raymond,  Miss.,  May  12th,  1863  : 

Company  A,  Killed — Privates  Joseph  Carpenter  and  Ephraim 
Harris. 

Wounded — Privates  Thomas  B.  Runyon,  head,  mortally ; George 
Hoover,  hand,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  B,  Killed — Private  Martin  L.  Thrush. 

Wounded — Corporals  James  Hashburger,  chest,  mortally,  since 
died ; Wm.  H.  Brown,  mouth,  slightly  ; Jonathan  Rea,  hand, 
slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  C,  Killed — Private  Strander  Raseboom. 

Wounded — Privates  Patrick  Nugent,  arm,  slightly;  John  C. 
Simmons,  hand,  slightly;  Wm.  Bevridge,  thigh,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  D,  Killed — Private  Lyman  C.  Sherman. 

Wounded — Corporal  Amos  C.  Mount,  hand,  slightly ; Privates 
Chancy  W.  Smith,  hand,  slightly;  Edward  Allen,  arm  slightly ; 
Stephen  P.  Thrall,  body,  slightly;  Frank  Pierson,  shoulder,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  E,  Killed — 1st  Sergeant  Byron  Selby  ; Private  Leroy 
C.  Baker. 

Wounded — 2d  Lieutenant  John  G.  Stevenson,  neck,  severely;  Cor- 
porals John  C.  Wooddell,  head,  mortally,  since  died  ; Abram  Fra- 
zier, arm,  severely ; Privates  Elijah  P.  DoYvd,  arm  and  body,  mor- 
tally, since  died  ; Josiah  Workman,  arm,  slightly;  Jacob  Baker, 
arm,  slightly  ; Thos.  Magourn,  arm,  slightly ; Daniel  S.  Driden, 
leg,  slightly  ; James  H.  Wooddell,  leg,  slightly  ; Darius  R.  Swails, 
face,  severely;  Johnson  Van  Buskirk,  mouth,  slightly;  Joseph 
McMahon,  arm,  slightly;  William  Trott,  arm,  slightly ; Thomas 
Jarnell,  shoulder  and  arm,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  F,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Sergeant  David  Robins,  hand,  severely  ; Privates  John 
Martin,  arm,  slightly;  L.  J.  Donaldson,  leg,  severely;  Mathias 
Elliott,  arm,  slightly  ; Gaddis  P.  Hageman,  hand,  slightly  : Robert 
Johnson,  hand,  slightly;  George  Spraker,  leg,  slightly;  Thomas 
Wright,  leg,  slightly  ; A.  B.  Curtis,  leg,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  G,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Privates  John  W.  Baxter,  head,  mortally,  since  died ; 
Robert  Larimore,  arm,  slightly;  A.  J.  Brake,  shoulder,  severely; 
James  Grimes,  shoulder,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 


49 


Company  H,  Killed— Privates  TJrias  C.  Falk;  Henry  Lanmore. 

Wounded — Sergeant  E.  W.  Quickenbush,  arm,  slightly ; Cor- 
porals Dorsey  W.  Huxley,  head,  severely  ; Wesley  Criz,  face  and 
breast,  slightly;  Privates  Lewis  Grim,  jaw,  severely;  Colegit  J. 
Bussy,  side,  slightly ; Russell  Lee,  arm,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  I,  Killed — Corporal  C.  Miracle. 

Wounded — Privates  Enoch  Fuller,  arm  severely ; Fred.  Crow, 
leg,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  K.  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Captain  Abraham  Kaga,  acting  Major,  two  field 
officers  being  on  detached  service,  shoulder,  severely;  Is  Ser’t, 
William  H.  Nogle,  throat,  severely ; Corporal  Andrew  Wilson, 
hip,  slightly ; Privates  Oliver  P.  Bogast,  leg,  slightly ; Henry 
Clansind,  mouth,  severely ; Regimental  Orderly  James  A.  Knox, 
hip  and  abdomen,  mortally,  since  died. 


List  of  casualties  in  the  20th  Regiment,  O.  V.  I.,  at  Raymond, 
Miss.,  May  12th,  1863  : 


RECAPITULATION. 


RANK. 


Commissioned  Officers  ....  0 

Non-Commis’d  Officers....  2 

Privates  8 

Total  10 


>.  s 


^ a 


o 

2 

4 


TO 

O =3  5 'ot 

> c .rf  o .2 

m ^ ^ 

2 0 0 

4 6 0 

7 31  0 


6 13  37  0 


Five  of  the  six  reported  wounded  have  since  died. 

I am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 
M.  F.  FORCE, 

Col.  Com.  20th  Ohio. 


Headquarters  20th  Regiment,  O.  Yol.  Infantry, 
Snyder’s  Bluff,  Miss.,  June  3d,  1863. 
Brig.  Gen’rl  Charles  W.  Hill,  Adjutant  General  of  O.: 
General — I have  the  honor  to  report  the  following  list  of  cas- 
ualties in  the  20th  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  the  ac- 
tion at  Champion  Hill,  Miss.,  May  16th,  1863  : 

Company  A,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — 2d  Lieut,  W.  W.  McCracken,  face,  severely;  Privates 
Daniel  Harris,  thigh,  severely;  James  Clinch,  leg,  slightly  ; Ma- 

7 


50 


jor  Rigby,  shoulder,  severely  ; Ira  B.  Allen,  arm,  slightly ; J.  J. 
Cremer,  hand,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  B,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Sergeant  John  Rlieinhart,  leg,  slightly ; Private 
Silas  Young,  head,  mortally. 

Missing — none. 

Company  C,  Killed — 2d  Lieutenant  Presly  McCafferty. 

Wounded — Corporal  John  A.  Ferrell,  shoulder,  slightly  ; Private 
John  Hashing,  shoulder,  severely. 

Missing — -none. 

Company  D,  Killed — none. 

Wounded— Captain  V.  T.  Hills,  foot,  slightly ; Corp’l  M.  Risher, 
arm,  severely ; Private  Virgil  Williams,  head,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  E,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Corporal  Thomas  Leggett,  hand,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  F,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Privates  Kelly,  hand,  slightly;  George  Wood,  arm, 
slightly  ; William  Willis,  thigh,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  G,  Killed — Private  John  Eller. 

Wounded — Privates  David  Lawson,  shoulder,  slightly ; Peter 
Beaty,  head,  severely ; Uri  Miner,  hand,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  H,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Privates  B.  B.  Hashman,  arm,  slightly ; J.  P.  Tus- 
sellman,  leg,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  I,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Private  Abisha  McGowan,  thigh,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  K,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Sergeants  Samuel  McCobe,  leg,  slightly  ; Dickenshut, 
hand,  slightly ; Privates  J.  W.  Smith,  hand,  severely ; Daniel 
Maming,  arm,  slightly ; George  Blakely,  back,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

RECAPITULATION. 

RANK.  ^ 

3 

Corn’d  Officers 1 

Non-Com ’d  Officers 0 

Privates 1 


20 


r*»  0> 

rt  fl 
O O 

0 

0 

1 


<X>  Z 

> o 

<X> 


+2  cs 
u>o 


1 

5 

14 


Total 


2 


1 


7 


0 


51 


Headquarters  20th  Regiment,  O.  Vol.  Infantry, 
Snyder’s  Bluff,  Miss.,  June  3d,  1863. 
Brig.  Gen’l  Charles  W.  Hill,  Adjutant  General  of  0 

General — I have  the  honor  to  report  the  following  list  of  cas- 
ualties in  the  20th  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  since  the 
commencement  of  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  May  21th,  1863 : 

Company  A.  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Private  Caleb  W.  Galliher,  head,  slightly. 

Missing — none. 

Company  D,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Corporal  David  W.  Thomas,  shoulder  and  spine,  mor- 
tally ; Private  John  Alexander,  chest,  mortally. 

Company  F,  Wounded — Albert  Hines,  hand,  slightly. 

Company  K,  Killed — none. 

Wounded — Private  Jesse  Babcock,  body,  mortally. 

List  of  casualties  in  the  20th  Reg’t,  O.  V.  I.,  at  Champion  Hill, 
Miss.,  May  16th,  1863. 


RECAPITULATION. 

RANK. 

Non-Com’d  Officers 
Privates  

Total 0 3 0 


-2  2 
c o 

1 

2 


r£ 

fci) 

a .2 

.lip  o .w 

03^  3 

0 0 

2 0 


2 0 


Also,  Privates  Columbus  Johnson,  Co.  G,  and  Jackson  Willis,  Co. 
K,  serving  with  6th  Michigan  Battery,  severely  wounded. 

I am  General,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

M.  F.  FORCE, 

Col.  Com.  20th  Ohio. 


Cincinnati,  April  24th,  1876. 

Capt.  D.  W.  Wood,  Mt.  Vernon : 

Dear  Sir — I stayed  home  from  church  yesterday,  rummaged 
over  my  papers,  to  get  some  details  of  names  and  dates,  and  cor- 
rected the  manuscript  of  my  address  accordingly  ; and  also  wrote 
out  my  response  to  the  toast  “ The  enlisted  men,”  and  mailed 
them. 

I regret  that  the  address  does  not  contain  more  details  of  the 
history  of  the  regiment ; but  the  addresses  of  Col.  Whittlesey  and 
Gen.  Leggett,  all  of  them  contain  additional  facts.  For  some 
weeks  I have  been  so  pressed — at  work  always  till  eleven  o’clock, 
sometimes  till  two  o’clock  at  night,  that  it  has  not  been  practicable 
forme  to  get  time,  or  to  get  up  a wakeful,  working  spirit. 

I enclose  $5,  $2  50  for  the  photographs  to  be  sent,  one  of  the  reg- 


52 


iment,  and  one  of  the  three  Colonels — $2  50  to  go  on  account  for 
the  pamphlet  of  proceedings  of  the  meeting.  I should  like  thirty 
copies  of  the  pamphlet,  and  will  send  the  price  as  soon  as  I know 
what  it  will  be. 

Your  proposed  publication  of  the  rolls  of  the  regiment  is  interest- 
ing and  really  important.  I shall  want  several  copies.  I have 
Adjutant  Wilkin’s  original  pencil  report  of  casualties  of  Raymond 
and  Champion  Hill,  showing  the  character  of  the  wounds  received 
by  each  person,  and  my  mem.  added,  showing  that  the  mortally 
wounded  died  almost  immediately. 

In  “Ohio  in  the  War,”  the  writer  of  the  20th  shows  quite  a num- 
ber of  appointments,  when  the  officers  were  never  mustered  in, 
so  that  there  is  some  confusion  in  the  roster.  The  rolls  ought  to 
show  when  the  officers  were  mustered  in,  and  I suppose  the  rolls 
at  Columbus  do  show  it. 

Quite  a number  of  the  20th  were  appointed  in  other  regiments, 
as  both  the  McElroy’s,  George  Rodgers,  Owens,  Curran  and  oth- 
ers. Such  facts  ought  to  appear  on  the  rolls. 

When  I begin  on  the  20th  I don’t  know  when  to  stop. 


Response — ATTENTION ] BATTALION!  \ Cheers anq l Laughter.'] 

I see  by  the  response  that  the  regiment  is  here. 
But  it  was  not  easy  to  discern  in  this  staid  array 
of  solid  men  of  business,  and  substantial  farmers, 
the  rolicking,  fun-loving,  patient,  daring  soldiers, 
who  used  to  sleep  on  the  ground  in  the  rain,  wade 
in  rags  through  swamps,  and  dash  into  the  midst 
of  battle  with  equal  alacrity  and  cheerfulness. 

Nothing  in  the  war  impressed  me  more  than  the 
conduct  of  the  enlisted  men  ; my  feeling  towards 
them  grew  into  something  like  veneration.  The 


Very  truly,  yours, 


M.  F.  FORCE. 


THE  ENLISTED  MEN. 


53 


first  striking  fact  was  the  transformation  of  a mul- 
titude of  citizens  into  an  army  of  soldiers.  The 
citizens  of  a republic  have  part  and  voice  in  all 
public  affairs.  They  elect  the  officers  of  state  and 
direct  their  action.  They  obey  nothing  but  the 
laws  which  they  themselves  enact.  The  soldier 
has  no  voice  in  selecting  officers,  or  directing  them  ; 
his  whole  duty  is  summed  up  in  the  phrase,  obedi- 
ence to  orders.  Such  a citizen  would  seem  to  be 
intractable  material  for  a soldier.  But  when  the 
citizens  saw  that  military  law  is  part  of  the  law  of 
the  land,  that  military  obedience  is  a citizen’s  duty, 
they  spontaneously  complied  with  all  that  discip- 
line demanded,  and  rendered  a hearty  and  thor- 
ough performance  of  duty  that  compulsion  could 
never  exact. 

When  service  in  the  field  was  begun  and  the 
operations  of  war  were  undertaken,  the  next  strik- 
ing fact  was  the  aptitude  of  the  men  for  every 
emergency  that  arose.  If  it  became  necessary  to 
construct  or  to  run  a railway,  to  navigate  a steam- 
boat, to  print,  to  telegraph,  to  build  a bridge,  men 
were  found  in  the  ranks  ready  for  the  work.  While 
this  might  be  the  case  in  an  army  of  any  nation 
formed  from  the  body  of  the  people,  I think  it 
was  especially  an  American  trait  to  find  men 
equally  ready  to  overcome  emergencies  that  were 
new  to  them.  When  a freshet  in  the  Big  Black 
River  in  Miss,  carried  away  the  bridge,  leaving 
the  pickets  on  the  farther  side,  exposed  to  cap- 
ture, there  was  not  a man  in  my  brigade  who 
had  ever  tried  to  build  a boat,  but  before  sunset 
they  had  planned,  built  and  caulked  a bateau,  and 
stretching  a rope  across  the  river,  constructed  a 


54 


swinging  ferry  that  brought  the  pickets  in.  When 
our  division  had  stepped  up  to  the  base  of  the 
heavy  work  near  the  Jackson  road  at  Vicksburg, 
and  were  much  annoyed  at  shells  tossed  over  as 
grenades,  wooden  mortars  were  devised,  and  I 
was  since  told  that  Corporal  Friend,  of  Co.  C,  of 
the  20th,  originated  the  idea;  which  with  a small 
charge  of  powder  lifted  shells  just  over  the  crest 
of  the  works  like  answering  grenades. 

When  we  were  swinging  around  Atlanta  one  day, 
skirmishing  the  while,  the  line  halted  along  a rising- 
ground.  The  men  began  at  once  with  bayonets, 
tin  cups  and  sticks  to  throw  up  a line  of  works  in 
their  front.  Staff  officers  dashed  along  to  stop 
them  till  the  engineer  could  trace  a line.  But  the 
engineer,  on  examination,  found  no  change  or  im- 
provement to  suggest. 

But  the  striking  fact  that  presented  itself  all 
through  the  war,  was  the  spirit  that  actuated  the 
men.  There  was  no  difference  in  material  between 
the  officers  and  the  men.  At  the  close  of  the  war 
a majority  of  the  officers  serving  in  the  western 
army,  had  entered  the  service  as  enlisted  men. 
When  our  regiment  was  mustered  out,  a sergeant 
Weatherby,  had  become  Lieutenant  Colonel.  I 
believe  there  was  not  an  officer  in  the  regiment, 
except  Colonel  Wilson,  who  had  not  served  in  it 
as  an  enlisted  man.  When  the  jflst  Ills,  was  mus- 
tered out  there  was  not  an  officer  in  it  who  had  not 
entered  it  as  an  enlisted  man.  The  officers  and 
men  were  all  of  the  same  stuff;  but  the  enlisted  men, 
with  their  scanty  pay,  their  few  privileges,  their  cer- 
tainty of  enduring  hardships,  their  little  chance  of 
winning  distinction  or  glory,  could  have  nothing 
to  excite  them  but  patriotism  and  duty. 


55 


Acting  in  that  spirit,  nothing  could  quench  their 
cheerfulness.  It  was  a perpetual  pleasure,  riding 
at  the  head  of  the  regiment,  to  listen  to  the  jokes, 
the  banter,  the  pungent  thrust,  the  quick  repartee, 
the  ringing  laugh  that  gave  brightness  and  gayety 
to  the  march,  and  found  fun  in  toiling  and  slip- 
ping through  the  mud  and  rain  long  after  midnight. 

Anything  that  could  have  a comic  aspect  had  to 
encounter  a fusilade  of  fun.  One  day,  on  the  re- 
turn from  Water  Valley,  as  the  brigade  lay  at  a 
halt  by  the  roadside,  a little  old  man  came  jogging 
along  on  a mule,  and  almost  buried  under  a huge 
dilapidated  bell  crowned  beaver  hat.  As  he  slowly 
passed  the  column,  every  man  turned  on  the  ground 
and  tired  off  his  joke.  One  of  the  30th  Ills,  cried 
out,  “ Old  man,  come  down  out  of  that  hat.  I 
know  you  are  there,  I see  your  boots.”  The  day 
that  the  Sibley  tents  were  turned  in  and  the  shel- 
ter tents  were  issued,  the  air  rang  all  day  long 
with  banter  over  the  diminutive  novelties.  When 
at  Grand  Junction  the  clothing  wore  to  rags,  and 
the  rags  dropped  off,  so  that  Gen.  Leggett,  in 
an  official  letter,  begged  if  clothing  could  not  be 
obtained,  an  issue  should  be  made  of  indigo,  so 
that  the  men  could  stain  their  bodies  blue.  The 
men  found  more  amusement  than  hardship  in  re- 
curring so  nearly  to  the  state  of  Adam  in  Paradise. 

Want  of  food  was  treated  as  lightly  as  want  of 
clothing.  When  tiling  back  from  Northern  Mis- 
sissippi, rations  were  scanty  to  the  last  degree.  I 
asked  a soldier  who  was  standing  outside  of  his 
tent  in  the  rain,  why  he  was  doing  so  ; he  an- 
swered, “ I want  to  get  wet  to  make  my  dinner 
swell  and  help  to  till  up.”  On  the  march  to  Mon- 


56 


roe,  Louisiana,  the  hard  bread  issued  was  so  bad, 
that  when  I broke  a biscuit  on  a plate,  the  pieces 
all  moved  about,  borne  by  the  worms,  unusual  for 
their  size  and  variety.  Col.  Shedd,  of  the  30th 
Ills,  told  me  his  men  complained  of  the  hard  bread. 
I told  him  we  were  away  from  supplies  and  had 
uo  other.  He  came  to  me  again  to  say  his  men 
said  it  would  not  matter,  they  would  eat  it  all 
night  and  think  it  was  sandwiches. 

But  all  this  mirth  was  only  the  surface  waves 
that  danced  and  sparkled  over  profound  depths  of 
feeling.  In  November,  1864,  a little  before  we  be- 
gan the  march  to  the  sea,  when  pay  was  nine 
months  in  arrears,  winter  was  coming  on,  and  then 
indications  of  some  new  enterprise  of  unknown  du- 
ration, and  letters  from  home  told  such  piteous 
tales  of  want  and  distress,  that  the  soldiers  went 
apart  in  the  woods  to  read  them,  where  no  eyes 
could  see  the  tears  they  could  not  repress.  Not 
one  faltered  in  his  resolve  to  do  his  whole  duty. 

In  February,  1863,  when  we  lay  at  Memphis, 
preparing  for  the  Vicksburg  campaign,  in  that 
dark  period  of  the  war,  when  the  air  was  full  of 
discouragement,  soldiers  received  letters  from  home, 
urging  them  to  desert.  They  sat  in  the  snow  and 
wrote  in  reply  : “Father,  I have  always  been  a du- 
tiful son.  Nothing  is  so  sweet  as  a letter  from 
home ; but  if  you  can  write  only  such  letters  as 
this,  I would  rather  never  hear  from  home.” 

One  busy  day  before  Vicksburg,  I was  told  that 
a soldier  wanted  to  see  me.  I found  him  lying  on 
the  ground,  amid  the  boom  and  roar  of  battle.  He 
was  a mere  lad.  A hole  in  his  breast  told  the  story. 
He  could  not  speak,  but  gave  me  a wistful  look. 


57 


I said  we  must  all  meet  our  end  sometime,  and  he 
is  fortunate  who  meets  it  in  the  discharge  of  duty. 
You  have  done  your  duty  well.  It  was  all  he 
wanted.  His  face  lighted  up  with  a smile,  and  he 
was  stiff  in  death. 

This  hoy  fairly  represented  the  enlisted  men. 
The  feeling  of  duty  and  self-sacrifice  filled  their 
souls.  They  taught  me  how  noble  human  nature 
can  be.  Their  uniform  came  to  be  the  symbol 
of  unselfish  patriotism.  And  even  now  I cannot 
see  that  uniform  without  a rush  of  memories,  and 
a thrill  of  the  old  emotion. 


GENERAL  JAS.  B.  McPHERSON. 


RESPONSE  B Y COL  ONEL  WHITTLE SE  Y. 

Although  this  is  a festive  occasion,  we  must  not 
forget  the  dead. 

Through  all  our  joyous  greetings  there  must  run 
a tinge  of  sadness  for  those  who  are  not  here. 

It  was  by  no  power  of  our  own  that  we  are  now 
living,  while  they  fell,  and  were  hastily  placed  in 
rude  graves  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Every  one  of  us  should  feel  it  to  be  a duty  to 
bear  all  of  them  in  remembrance  ; and  at  these  re- 
unions to  bring  written  notices  of  the  life  and  char- 
acter of  our  brother  soldiers,  who  were  not  so  for- 
tunate as  ourselves,  hut  who  did  as  much  for  the 
cause  as  we  did.  Never  let  their  memory  perish. 

I presume  the  memory  of  General  McPherson 
was  referred  to  me  on  the  supposition,  that  coming 
8 


58 


from  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  we  were  personally 
acquainted.  I had  never  met  him,  however,  until 
the  attack  on  Fort  Donelson ; afterward,  during  the 
second  day  at  Shiloh  Church,  he  brought  me  or- 
ders from  General  Grant,  while  we  were  on  our 
way  to  the  mouth  of  Snake  Creek,  and  I never 
saw  him  again. 

My  personal  acquaintance  with  him,  is  therefore 
very  limited,  embracing  only  a few  minutes  of  con- 
versation, wholly  official.  Although  our  troops 
had  met  with  a great  disaster,  of  which  he  was  a 
witness,  I found  him  calm,  courteous  and  perfectly 
clear  in  giving  his  instructions. 

He  rode  a good  horse,  and  hurried  back  along 
the  Owl  Creek  Road,  full  of  life  and  vigor,  to  find 
General  Wallace. 

General  McPherson  graduated  at  the  United 
States  Military  Academy,  at  the  head  of  the  class 
of  1853.  He  was  promoted,  of  course,  into  the  en- 
gineers corps.  Until  1861  he  performed  the 
usual  service  of  a lieutenant  of  engineers  at  Bos- 
ton, New  York,  Delaware  Bay,  and  San  Francisco, 
constructing  permanent  fortifications. 

In  August,  1861,  he  was  promoted  to  be  Cap- 
tain of  Engineers.  In  November,  Gen.  Halleck 
made  him  an  aid,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel.  From  February  to  May,  1862,  he  was 
Chief  Engineer  to  General  Grant. 

In  May,  3862,  he  was  promoted  to  be  Brigadier 
of  Volunteers,  and  placed  in  charge  of  the  west- 
ern railways. 

In  the  attack  on  Iuka,  he  commanded  a brig- 
ade, where  he  developed  so  much  ability  as  a gen- 
eral, that  he  was  soon  after  commissioned  Major 
General  of  Volunteers. 


59 


General  Grant  not  only  gave  him  his  confidence 
as  an  officer,  but  formed  with  him  the  closest  per- 
sonal friendship.  The  17th  Army  Corps  was  soon 
placed  in  McPherson’s  hands.  We  hear  of  him 
successfully  at  Holly  Springs,  Memphis,  Yicksburg, 
Grand  Gulf,  Raymond,  Jackson,  Champion  Hill, 
and  again  at  Vicksburg,  all  the  while  growing  in 
the  confidence  of  his  superiors. 

He  was  not  one  of  those  commanders  of  whom 
his  inferiors  stood  in  awe.  His  manners  were  gen- 
ial and  courteous.  He  was  already  a thorough 
student  of  the  art  of  war,  becoming  more  and  more 
accomplished  in  his  profession  by  practice  in  the 
field. 

In  October,  1863,  he  was  entrusted  with  an  army 
corps,  which  in  Europe  is  the  command  of  a Lieu- 
tenant General. 

When  the  movement  to  Atlanta  was  planned, 
McPherson  was  given  the  right  wing,  composed  of 
the  15th,  16th  and  17tli  Corps,  constituting  a full 
army.  He  had  already  acquired  the  confidence  of 
both  Grant  and  Sherman. 

The  plan  of  the  first  movement  of  the  Atlanta 
campaign  involved  the  capture  of  the  railway  in 
Johnson’s  rear,  at  or  near  Resaca.  This  was  as- 
signed to  McPherson.  Sherman  wished  to  give 
Johnson  a staggering  blow  at  the  outset.  His  plan 
of  attack  was  one  that  appears  to  be  as  certain  of 
success  as  anything  can  be  in  war.  While  Thomas 
made  an  assault  upon  Mill  Creek  Gap,  Schofield 
with  the  left  wing,  came  down  from  the  north  upon 
Dalton. 

McPherson  was  ordered  south,  along  the  west 
side  of  the  mountains  to  Snake  Creek  Gap,  about 


60 


half  a day’s  march  west  from  Resaca.  He  did  not 
capture  Resaca,  or  hold  the  railway,  and  Johnson 
escaped.  He  discovered  his  mistake  before  night, 
and  before  any  criticism  had  reached  him.  His 
frank  assumption  of  whatever  blame  attached  to 
the  result  and  all  its  consequences,  was  in  full  ac- 
cord with  his  noble  character.  Sherman  was  cha- 
grined, but  even  his  impetuous  nature  attributed 
the  failure  only  to  an  error  of  judgment  in  regard 
to  the  strength  of  Resaca. 

As  this  was  the  only  censure  which  fell  upon 
McPherson  in  ten  engagements  where  he  held  an 
important  command,  should  we  allow  this  single 
instance  to  throw  a shadow  upon  his  fame  ? 

How  many  of  our  Generals  have  succeeded  in 
nine  battles  out  of  ten  ? 

In  the  fortunes  of  war,  to  win  more  victories 
than  he  suffers  defeats,  ensures  the  reputation  of 
a commander. 

Let  us  look  a moment  at  the  situation  of  Resaca. 
McPherson  was  not  peremptorily  ordered  to  attack 
the  place,  but  only  to  cut  the  railroad. 

The  day  was  well  advanced  before  he  could  re- 
connoitre the  works.  He  perceived  that  Johnson 
had  constructed  roads  from  Dalton  to  Snake  Creek 
Gap,  which  was  in  our  rear,  and  where  the  trains 
were  left.  In  McPherson’s  judgment,  before  Re- 
saca could  be  carried,  the  rebel  army  might  attack 
his  trains  at  the  Gap.  Although  their  retreat  to 
the  Gap  proved  to  be  an  error,  I do  not  see  how, 
with  the  hasty  information  he  was  able  to  get,  his 
conclusions  were  not  sound. 

A dare-devil  commander  would  have  taken  the 
risk,  and  would  have  succeeded.  A calm,  intelli- 
gent General  would  have  declined  it. 


61 


Good  Generals  are  not  made  of  dare-devils,  but 
of  men  who  act  upon  their  conclusions,  based  upon 
the  circumstances. 

You  all  know  how  he  retained  Sherman’s  confi- 
dence, and  went  on  winning  more  reputation,  at 
Kingston,  Dallas,  and  Kenesaw,  until  the  fatal  22d 
of  July,  before  Atlanta.  He  was  then  only  thirty- 
five  years  of  age. 

I can  say  nothing  of  him  more  touching  or  more 
true,  than  the  brief  eulogies  of  General  Sherman 
and  General  Grant. 

On  the  fall  of  General  McPherson,  Sherman  re- 
ported the  event  to  headquarters  at  Washington, 
as  a part  of  his  account  of  the  action,  in  which  he 
said  : “He  fell  booted  and  spurred  as  the  gallant 
knight  and  gentleman  should  wish.  Not  his,  the 
loss,  but  the  country.  This  army  will  mourn 
his  death,  and  cherish  his  memory,  as  that  of  one, 
who  comparatively  young,  had  risen  by  his  merit 
and  ability,  to  the  command  of  one  of  the  best  ar- 
mies which  the  nation  has  called  into  existence  to 
vindicate  its  honor  and  integrity.  History  tells  of 
few  who  so  blended  the  grace  and  gentleness  of  the 
friend  with  the  dignity,  grace  and  courage  of  the 
soldier.” 

General  Grant  was  still  more  grieved  by  his 
death,  and  says  of  him  : “ He  was  one  of  the  most 

able  of  engineers,  and  the  most  skillful  of  generals. 
The  nation  grieves  at  the  loss  of  one  so  dear  to  the 
nation’s  cause.  Every  officer  and  soldier  who 
served  under  him,  felt  the  highest  reverence  for 
his  patriotism,  his  zeal,  his  almost  unequaled 
ability,  his  amiability,  and  all  those  manly  virtues 
which  can  adorn  a commander.” 


62 


THE  OFFICERS  OF  THE  20th  OHIO  REGIMENT,  AND 
THE  17th  ARMY  CORPS. 

Ladies , Comrades , and  Friends: 

Language  will  not  permit  me  to  express  my  love 
for  the  officers  of  the  clear  old  20tli  Ohio  Regiment, 
My  time  will  not  permit  me  to  speak  of  all  the  liv- 
ing or  the  dead.  It  is  right  and  proper  for  us  to 
meet  on  occasions  of  this  character,  and  recount 
the  trials  and  struggles  through  which  we  have 
passed  to  preserve  this  glorious  Union,  and  by 
these  reunions  rekindle  in  our  hearts  that  feeling 
of  patriotism  that  will  always  prompt  us  to  respond 
fearlessly  to  our  country’s  call,  when  our  liberties 
are  in  danger  or  our  political  rights  invaded. 

While  I look  upon  these  officers  present,  my 
memory  is  crowded  with  many  dreadful  battle 
scenes,  where  we  left  so  many  of  our  brave  com- 
rades. Joy  and  sorrow  sweep  my  brain  in  turn  ; 
joyful  when  I think  of  the  many  kindred  spirits 
that  are  with  us  on  this  occasion  ; sorrowful  when 
I think  of  the  many  brave  boys  whose  bones  now 
bleach  on  southern  soil,  and  whose  noble  and  he- 
roic spirits  have  winged  their  everlasting  flight  to 
the  bosom  of  the  God  who  gave  them. 

The  Southern  Confederacy  exists  only  as  the  re- 
membrance of  a troubled  dream  ; its  proud  armies 
have  been  destroyed  ; its  opulent  cities  laid  waste, 
and  its  country  made  desolate,  as  the  natural  re- 
ward of  its  treason. 

In  these  reunions  we  should  only  rejoice  that 
we  were  triumphant  in  preserving  our  liberties  and 
the  Union,  and  securing  to  all  mankind  within  our 


63 


national  border,  civil  and  political  liberty,  and  not 
rejoice  because  we  have  subdued  our  own  brothers  ; 
arid  while  we  rejoice,  extend  that  charity  and  sym- 
pathy due  a fallen  foe,  from  a conquering  and  a 
victorious  people. 

We  have  with  us  to-night,  General  Force,  who 
bears  the  lifelong  scar  of  our  dreadful  struggle 
while  leading  us  on  to  victory.  Who  can  forget 
that  dreadful  day  on  the  22d  of  July,  1864,  when 
the  blue  and  the  gray  fought  hand  to  hand  in 
dreadful  fits  of  desperation.  When  Force,  Wal- 
ker and  Fry  of  the  20th  fell,  wounded  upon  the 
field  of  battle.  No,  we  can  never  forget  them,  but 
will  always  respect  and  love  them. 

Who  could  forget  McPherson,  who  gave  up  his 
noble  life  on  that  terrible  day,  when  men  who 
thought  it  cowardly  to  shed  a tear,  wept  like  a 
mother,  at  the  loss  of  her  first  born  babe,  when 
they  heard  of  his  death. 

We  have  with  us  to-night,  another  officer  of  the 
17th  Army  Corps,  General  M.  D.  Leggett,  who 
fought  so  heroically  in  that  desperate  contest,  and 
led  us  faithfully  and  carefully  to  victory.  No,  we 
will  never  forget  them,  but  when  I think  of  their 
heroic  conduct,  I feel  proud  of  them.  I love  them, 
and  I will  let  them  dwell  reverently  in  my  mem- 
ory through  time  and  in  eternity. 

In  conclusion,  let  me  say,  a nobler,  a braver  set 
of  men  never  marched  beneath  the  graceful  folds 
of  the  American  Flag,  than  the  officers  of  the  20th 
Ohio  Regiment,  and  the  17th  Army  Corps,  and 
they  shall  always  have  my  sympathy,  my  respect, 
and  my  love,  as  comrades  in  war  and  in  peace. 


64 


CHAPLAIN  PEPPER' S RESPONSE  TO  THE  TOAST \ 

“OUR  DEAD  COMRADES.” 

Our  dead  comrades!  How  solemnly  suggestive 
the  toast ! In  the  honored  graves  in  which  they 
sleep  to-night,  they  need  not  the  cold  words  of 
mortal  tongues  to  pronounce  their  praise.  They 
are,  this  evening,  far  above  the  eulogies  of  the  liv- 
ing crowd.  Sceptered  immortals,  enthrowned 
above  the  nation’s  constellation,  as  was  said  of  the 
heroes  of  Salamus.  We  too  may  justly  say  of  our 
noble  dead,  they  went  in  the  blaze  of  battle  from 
the  camp  to  the  stars. 

Since  that  fatal  April  morning,  rich  with  roses, 
when  the  first  flash  of  traitorous  guns  sent  the 
blasphemous  challenge  to  the  stars  and  stripes, 
thousands  of  heroic  men  have  laid  down  their  lives 
with  joy,  and  implored  the  stroke  of  death,  for  the 
unity  and  perpetuity  of  that  land  which  the  sword 
of  Washington  evoked,  the  philosophy  of  Jefferson 
approved,  and  the  great  arguments  of  Webster 
rendered  more  solid  and  enduring. 

It  is  said  when  the  illustrious  French  soldier, 
Latour  d’Aubergne,  the  first  grenadier  of  France, 
as  he  was  simply  yet  honorably  called,  fell  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  his  name  was  still  retained 
on  the  muster  roll  of  his  regiment,  and  when  called 
out  by  the  cammanding  officer  on  service  days,  the 
oldest  soldier  would  step  out  of  the  ranks,  and 
amid  the  solemn  silence  of  his  comrades,  reply  in 
these  touching  words:  “Dead  on  the  Field  of  Hon- 
orAnd  so  when  the  muster  roll  of  our  Amer- 
ican dead  shall  be  called  out  to  future  generations, 


65 


the  Angel  of'  Liberty  will  point  to  their  sepulchres 
and  respond : “ Dead  on  the  Field  of  Honor." 

Rich  triumphs  have  they  won  for  us  and  for  our 
children.  The  victories  of  the  war,  were  under 
God,  the  victories  of  the  enlisted  men.  I therefore 
speak  of  them  first.  I would  not  take  one  laurel 
from  the  crowns  which  adorn  the  brows  of  the 
mighty  captains  who  led  our  hosts  to  victory. 

From  the  patient  Grant,  from  the  chivalrous 
Rosecrans,  from  the  intrepid  Sheridan,  from  the 
brilliant  Sherman,  from  the  dashing  Hancock,  from 
that  great  host  of  Generals  who  gathered  around 
the  banner  of  “Beauty  and  Glory,”  as  Napoleon’s 
Marshals  around  the  Imperial  Eagle  ; but  never- 
theless our  success  is  largely  due  to  the  rank  and 
file.  Their  graves  for  ages  to  come  will  be  sacred 
spots,  where  valor  shall  gain  fresh  life,  and  free- 
dom trim  her  torch. 

They  struggled,  fell,  their  life  blood  stained 
The  cruel  Southerner’s  hand ; 

They  clasped  their  country’s  flag 
And  cried,  God  and  our  native  land. 

Let  angels  spread  their  wings  above, 

Let  flowers  forever  bloom, 

Let  bays,  green  bays  spring  forth, 

To  mark  the  martyr’s  sacred  tomb. 

• Wherever  Columbia  plants  her  standard,  the 
brave  deeds  of  our  dead  comrades  shall  be  men- 
tioned with  gratitude,  honor  and  devotion. 

The  patriot  materlogv  is  filled  up  with  great  and 
splendid  names.  Their  memories  rise  to  my  lips 
like  the  sound  of  the  church  which  I heard  in  my 
infancy. 

Shall  I speak  of  Ellsworth,  the  first  to  give  up 
his  life  for  the  Union  ? of  Kearney,  the  one-armed 
hero?  of  the  eloquent  Baker,  who  went  from  a 


9 


66 


Senator’s  seat  to  a soldier’s  grave  ? of  McPherson, 
than  whom  a more  stainless  knight  never  drew  a 
sword?  of  Thomas,  the  greathearted?  of  Yance, 
our  own  Yance,  who  was  torn  to  pieces  by  the  bill- 
lets  which  he  so  splendidly  defied  ? of  Andrews, 
from  old  Kenyon  near  by,  whom  the  soldiers  loved 
while  living,  and  wept  when  dead  ? 

The  necrological  list  is  long,  sad  and  magnifi- 
cent. The  humblest  of  our  dead  brothers  wears  a 
crown,  which  like  the  laurels  of  Tiberius,  shall  be 
forever  green,  defiant  of  the  lightning  and  imper- 
ishable. 

If  the  winds  of  heaven  could  bear  our  words  to 
the  skies,  the  spirits  of  the  dead  conquerers  of  our 
liberties  would  be  glad  to  know  that  their  names 
and  deeds  are  pious,  glorious  and  immortal.  Dead 
comrades,  ye  died  not  in  vain ! Rest  in  beautiful 
peace  ! We  swear  on  your  graves,  by  our  hopes 
of  immortality,  that  the  Republic  of  Washington 
and  Lincoln  shall  be  coeval  with  the  coming  gran- 
deur of  the  son  of  God  ! 


A spirited  discussion  lias  been  going  on  during  the  past  year  on  the 
origin  of  the  campaign  up  the  Tennessee  River,  in  February,  1862. 

This  route  into  the  enemy’s  country  had  so  many  palpable  ad- 
vantages, that  it  probably  occurred  to  many  officers  long  before  it 
was  undertaken.  Forts  Henry  and  Donelson  were  the  nearest 
forts  on  the  military  frontier,  except  Columbus. 

Between  the  two  rivers  an  army  could  march  with  its  flanks 
covered,  and  its  supplies  moved  principally  by  water.  Bowling- 
Green  was  better  fortified  ; had  a larger  garrison,  and  was  less  ac- 
cessible. 

Doubtless,  every  military  man  who  reflected  upon  the  situation, 
came  to  similar  conclusions.  The  reasons  in  favor  of  this  line  of 
advance  were  so  numerous  and  easily  understood,  that  their  dis- 
covery cannot  be  regarded  as  an  evidence  of  military  genius. 

The  significance  of  the  present  discussion  arises  from  the  stand- 
ing of  the  various  claimants,  more  than  from  the  importance  of 
the  question  itself,  being  now  resolved  into  an  inquiry  of  priority 
of  dates. 

. Swin to n ( Division  Battles  of  the  War,  page  62,)  avers  that  it  was 
suggested  incidentally,  by  Buell  and  Grant,  early  in  January,  1862. 

General  Boynton  has  thrown  much  light  upon  the  issue,  by  lib- 
eral quotations  from  the  official  correspondence.  On  the  20tli  of 
January,  General  Halleck  writes  (page  12)  to  headquarters,  “that 
a much  more  feasible  plan,  would  be  to  move  up  the  Cumberland 
and  Tennessee,  making  Nashville  the  objective  point.”  For  this 
movement  he  required  sixty  thousand  men.  He  had  on  the  Ohio 
fifteen  thousand  ; had  ordered  seven  regiments  (say  five  thousand) 
from  Missouri,  and  by  the  middle  of  February  could  send  fifteen 
thousand  more,  making  about  thirty-five  thousand.  If  thirty 
thousand  or  forty  thousand  more  could  be  provided,  the  column 
could  safely  move,  and  adds:  “ Perhaps  the  main  column  should 

move  from  Southland,  between  the  two  rivers,  by  way  of  Dover, 
(Fort  Donelson)  perhaps  east  of  the  Cumberland,  perhaps  west  of 
the  Tennessee.” 

General  Boynton  states  (page  13)  from  the  records,  that  in  Nov- 
ember, 1861,  General  Buell  urged  General  McClelland,  then  in 
command  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  to  permit  an  advance 
on  Nashville,  turning  Bowling  Green  on  the  right  or  west,  the  sup- 
plies to  go  up  the  Cumberland. 


68 


General  Grant  is  reported  as  having  been  engaged  in  prepara- 
tions for  the  movement,  in  December,  18G1,  without  suggestions 
from  McClelland,  Buell  or  Halleck. 

The  President  was  then  becoming  annoyed  at  the  inactivity  of 
the  armies.  On  the  31st  of  December  he  telegraphed  to  Halleck : 
“Are  you  and  Buell  in  concert?  ” Halleck  replies  on  New  Year’s 
day,  1862:  “Never  a word  from  Buell — not  ready  to  co-operate.” 
On  the  same  day,  Mr.  Lincoln  telegraphs  to  Buell  the  same  ques- 
tion: “ Are  you  and  Halleck  in  concert?”  and  receives  in  reply 
the'  same  answer  as  from  St.  Louis : “ No  arrangement  with  Hal- 
leck.” The  two  department  commanders  then  began  to  get  ac- 
quainted with  each  other.  On  New  Year’s  day,  General  Buell  asks 
of  General  Halleck:  “Is  any  concerted  action  arranged  for  us?  If 
not,  can  it  be?  should  be  done  speedily.”  Halleck  replies : “No  in- 
structions to  co-operate;  barely  troops  to  threaten  Columbus;  hope 
to  be  able  to  co-operate  in  a few  weeks;  now  impossible. 

On  the  3d,  Buell  urges  an  attack  on  the  center  by  gunboats,  anil 
twenty  thousand  men. 

On  the  6th,  General  Grant  wished  to  discuss  the  forward  move- 
ment with  General  Halleck,  which  Avas  declined.  On  the  7th, 
Buell  enquires  of  Halleck : “ Can  you  tix  a day  for  action  in  con- 
cert? ” A reply  is  received  on  the  9th,  in  which  are  the  following 
phrases : “ Madness  to  operate  on  Columbus!  1 knoAv  nothing  of 
the  plan  of  the  campaign.” 

General  Grant  Avent  in  person  to  St.  Louis  on  the  23d,  where  his 
proposition  was  recei veil  so  coolly  that  he  thought  he  had  giA'en 
offense.  About  this  time  the  President’s  patience  became  ex- 
hausted, and  the  first  executive  order  was  issued,  January  27th, 
commanding  all  the  armies  to.  move  on  the  evening,  at  latest,  by 
the  22il  of  February. 

It  Avas  probably  about  this  time,  that  the  present  head  of  the 
army  held  an  interview  with  General  Halleck  at  St.  Louis,  where 
it  is  intimated  the  plan  of  the  advance  up  the  Cumberland  was 
originated.  At  page  219,  vol.  1,  of  General  Sherman’s  Memoirs, 
will  be  found  the  following  statement: 

“ About  mid-winter,  1861-2,  Outturn,  Halleck  and  myself  Avere  in 
a room  at  the  Planter’s  House,  St.  Louis,  discussing  the  situation. 

“ Halleck  requested  his  staff  officer  (Cullum)  to  draw  on  a map 
before  them,  the  position  of  the  rebel  line,  and  asked:  ‘ Where  is 
the  proper  line  to  break  it?’  Either  Cullum  or  I said  : ‘ Naturally, 
the  center.’  Halleck  drew  a perpendicular  line  near  the  middle 
of  their  front,  which  coincided  with  the  Tennessee  River,  and 
said:  ‘That  is  the  true  line  of  operations.’  This  occurred  more 
than  a month  before  Gen.  Grant  began  his  movement,  and  as  he 
was  subject  to  General  Halleek’s  orders,  \ have  always  given  him 
(Halleck)  full  credit.” 

Thus  far  it  does  not  appear  that  the  plan  had  been  thought  of  at 
Washington.  General  Buell  had  considered  a movement  east  of 


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the  Cumberland  in  November.  General  Grant  bad  begun  prepar- 
ations for  it  in  December,  hoping  to  get  the  consent  of  General 
Halleck. 

Some  days  before  the  President’s  order,  General  Grant  and  bis 
scheme  was  decidedly  discountenanced  at  headquarters.  The  ex- 
ecutive order,  however,  encouraged  him  to  go  on  with  bis  prepara- 
tions. It  bad  also  the  effect  to  stimulate  General  Halleck,  who 
sanctioned  bis  plan  early  in  February. 

Having  thus  briefly  gone  over  the  premises,  I introduce  an  offi- 
cial copy  of  a letter  written  by  myself  to  General  Halleck,  in  Nov- 
ember, 1861,  on  the  subject  of  this  movement.  It  originated  in 
this  way : General  Halleck  was  expected  at  Cincinnati  on  the 
18th  of  November,  on  bis  way  to  assume  command  of  the  depart- 
ment of  Missouri. 

I was  on  General  O.  M.  Mitchell’s  staff  as  Chief  Engineer  of  the 
department  of  Ohio,  and  had  a conversation  with  him  upon  the 
line  of  advance,  substantially  as  it  is  stated  in  the  letter.  General 
Mitchell,  on  my  suggestion,  intended  to  bring  the  subject  to  Gene- 
ral Halleck’s  attention  that  evening,  but  be  came  so  late,  and  left 
so  early  in  the  morning  that  it  was  not  brought  up.  He  suggested 
that  there  would  be  no  impropriety  in  a letter  from  me  to  General 
Halleck,  whom  he  thought  would  receive  it  kindly.  Governor 
Morton,  of  Indiana,  was  at  bur  headquarters  on  the  19th,  and  the 
subject  was  again  discussed,  for  it  appeared  the  route  by  way  of 
those  rivers  had  occurred  to  him. 

Under  these  circumstances  the  letter  of  the  20th  of  November 
was  written,  and  its  receipt  acknowledged  from  St.  Louis  on 
the  22d. 

LETTER  TO  GENERAL  HALLECK. 

“Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Nov.  20th,  1861. 
“Major  General  Halleck,  &t.  Louis: 

“ Sir — Will  you  allow  me  to  suggest  the  consideration  of  a great 
movement  by  land  and  water,  up  the  Cumberland  and  Tennessee 
Rivers : 

“1st.  Would  it  not  allow  of  water  transportation  half-way  to 
Nashville  ? 

“2d.  Would  it  not  necessitate  the  evacuatiou  of  Columbus,  by 
threatening  their  railway  communications? 

“3d.  Would  it  not  necessitate  the  retreat  of  General  Buckner, 
by  threatening  his  railway  lines  ? 

“ 4th.  Is  it  not  the  most  feasible  route  into  Tennessee  ? 

“Yours,  respectfully, 

“CHAS.  WHITTLESEY, 

“Col.  Chief  Engineer,  Department  of  Ohio. 

“War  Department,  Adj’t  General’s  Office,  Dec.  11th,  1875. 

“Official  Copy, 

“L.  H.  PELOUSE, 

“Ass'tAdj't  General .” 


70 


On  this  1 do  not  propose  to  offer  many  comments. 

In  General  Halleck’s  letter  of  January  20th,  he  refers  to  a 
movement  following  the  valley  of  those  rivers,  evidently  not  then 
considered  in  detail. 

My  letter  of  two  months  previous  may  not  have  influenced  him, 
but  his  expressed  views  are  the  same. 

At  that  time,  General  Buell  had  not  corresponded  with  him  on 
the  subject.  General  Grant  had  already  given  his  reasons  in  favor 
of  the  movement,  which  General  Halleck  considered  entirely 
premature.  It  is  perfectly  clear,  however,  that  it  did  not  originate 
among  the  group  of  officers  at  the  Planter’s  Hotel,  about  mid- 
winter. 

Whatever  military  merit  there  was  in  its  conception  in  January, 
1862,  cannot  be  lessened  by  a conception,  the  same  in  substance 
matured  in  November,  1861,  and  then  on  file  in  the  office. 


I 


